1. Introduction
It’s time for Australia to diversify its transport decarbonisation solutions to reach net zero and reap the rewards of a cleaner transport sector.
Transport is the fastest growing source of emissions in Australia.
Australia’s current transport decarbonisation solutions focus on technology and private vehicles, particularly electric vehicles (EVs).
While EV uptake has a critical role to play, focusing solely on EVs underestimates the impact other transport related interventions can have.
Diversifying options can help Australia reach net zero in line with a 1.5°C future, and improve transport outcomes.
The Transport Pathways to Net Zero project is developing an optimised trajectory to net zero. It identifies approaches to transport decarbonisation that reduce more emissions, more quickly while also delivering positive transport, health and social outcomes.
An integrated pathway to net zero emissions in transport can also deliver more efficient, equitable, accessible and livable cities with cost savings for both governments and consumers.
The updated pathway will improve the energy efficiency of existing transport modes, as well as reducing demand for travel to improve transport network efficiency and enabling a shift to more sustainable modes of transport – including rail freight and public and active transport.
Climateworks’ analysis will support the development of comprehensive, integrated national and state transport decarbonisation strategies, incorporating solutions across the sector to keep transport on track for net zero.
What we’re doing
The Transport Pathways to Net Zero project will provide defined decarbonisation pathways for Australia’s transport and transport infrastructure sectors.
This is underpinned by comprehensive research into interventions to decarbonise freight and passenger transport.
The project has the following key objectives:
- Determine an optimal trajectory towards net zero transport and infrastructure for the Australian context to support effective transport decarbonisation strategies and plans
- Provide insights to governments, agencies, industry groups and corporates to enable evidence-based policies based on modelled scenarios aligned towards a net zero pathway for the transport and infrastructure system, including across freight and passenger transport
2. Timeline
3. Team
4. Partners
This project is led by Climateworks Centre, supported by a range of collaborators and contributors. Climateworks would like to acknowledge the support of Boundless Earth for this critical work.
5. Related
Accelerating Australia’s EV uptake can save vehicle owners $1,300 per year in running costs
Australians could save more than $20 billion in petrol and maintenance costs if electric vehicles (EVs) made up three-quarters of new car sales by 2030, according to Climateworks Centre analysis released today. New report Accelerating EV uptake: Policies to realise Australia’s electric vehicle potential, shows raising Australia’s ambition to 76 per cent of new vehicle purchases being electric by 2030, and 100 per cent by 2035, would benefit consumers and cut transport emissions.
The future of private transport in Australia
How can we move people and goods in the most efficient, safe and sustainable way?
Issues paper: Reshaping Infrastructure for a net zero emissions future
Infrastructure has a significant, lasting influence on Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions.
Moving to zero
Australia’s first comprehensive guide to reaching zero emissions in the transport sector.
Australia’s transport emissions: the role of infrastructure in reaching zero emissions
Rachel Lynskey unpacks how infrastructure can influence transport systems for the better: providing options for shifting to clean transport modes as well as improving health and environment outcomes.
Decarbonisation Futures: Solutions, actions and benchmarks for a net zero emissions Australia
Climateworks’ seminal report shows how technologies in each sector can achieve climate goals in Australia when rebuilding the economy to be resilient for the future.