Now more than ever: Impact report 2024
This report gives an overview of our efforts to drive ambitious climate action across our region in 2024, with a particular focus on nine selected impact stories.
09.06.25
Indonesia’s climate governance: Retrospective evaluation following decentralisation reform
Climate governance plays a crucial role in influencing environmental actions and outcomes. Historically, Indonesia’s environmental governance followed a top-down approach, often delaying the translation of national policies to the local level.
07.05.25
Seizing Gladstone’s low-carbon opportunity
This report presents our findings and recommended actions for Gladstone to remain competitive as the world decarbonises – findings on its future as a clean manufacturing hub.
26.02.25
Dekarbonisasi pada sektor manufaktur Indonesia: Studi kasus subsektor makanan dan minuman, tekstil dan kimiaÂ
Sektor manufaktur merupakan penyumbang signifikan terhadap emisi nasional, yaitu sekitar 28%, dengan subsektor seperti bahan kimia, semen, pulp dan kertas, makanan dan minuman, besi dan baja, plastik, sabun dan deterjen, serta tekstil sebagai penyumbang emisi tertinggi. Meskipun kebijakan nasional terkait dekarbonisasi masih dalam tahap pengembangan, teknologi yang tersedia saat ini memungkinkan sektor ini untuk mengurangi emisi secara signifikan dan bertransisi menuju operasi rendah karbon.
19.02.25
Decarbonising Indonesia’s manufacturing sector: Case studies from the food and beverage, textile and chemical industries
The manufacturing sector accounts for approximately 28 per cent of Indonesia’s emissions, with the top emitting subsectors including chemical, cement, pulp and paper, food and beverage, iron steel, plastic, soap and detergent and textile. With today's technologies, these sectors can reduce emissions and transition to low-carbon operations even while guiding national policies are still being consolidated.
18.02.25
Leading climate policies from Australia’s states and territories
Since the Paris Agreement was signed in 2015, countries around the world have increasingly recognised climate change as a shared challenge and begun to implement emissions reduction plans.
12.12.24
Enabling Australia’s home renovation wave
Our new report focuses on how the Australian Government's built environment sectoral plan can enable emissions reductions and co-benefits through coordinated policy action.
28.08.24
Decarbonising Australia’s transport sector: Diverse solutions for a credible emissions reduction planÂ
Transport is currently Australia’s third-largest and fastest-growing source of emissions. Download the report [PDF] In the face of growing transport emissions and modest electric vehicle sales figures, Australia can bolster transport decarbonisation by expanding its approach to include a suite of solutions across freight and passenger transport.
11.06.24
Net zero foundations: Impact report 2023
As Climateworks Centre enters its 15th year of operations, we are proud to share the past year’s annual impact report, showing how we are building on the momentum and successes of our systems approach to climate mitigation.
12.04.24
Climate-ready homes: Building the case for a renovation wave in Australia
Climateworks Centre’s Renovation Pathways research program identifies ways governments and the private sector can enable home energy performance upgrades in a coordinated manner.
06.12.23
Climateworks Centre decarbonisation scenarios 2023: Australia can still meet the Paris Agreement
Climateworks Centre's latest scenarios show Australia can reduce emissions by 85 per cent by 2035.
14.11.23
Delivering freight decarbonisation: Strategies for reducing Australia’s transport emissions
By implementing available solutions in short-haul freight, Australia can start reducing 51 per cent of its freight emissions immediately.
19.10.23
Sea of opportunity: Ocean-based mitigation to support Indonesia’s climate ambition
This report assesses the mitigation potential of coastal and ocean areas and their contribution to Indonesia’s 'Second NDC', and suggests mechanisms for including the ocean in the forthcoming NDC. In addition to examining mitigation potential, it also provides details of key relevance to decision makers such as enabling and economic factors, scientific gaps and the likely flow-on effects.
13.09.23
Fundamentals for developing a long-term renewable energy roadmap for ASEAN
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has a unique opportunity to develop a sustainable energy system based on renewable energy resources.
24.08.23
Brief for policy-makers: Renewable energy industrial precincts
Australia’s industrial regions play an essential role in the nation’s economy. They also produce a significant proportion of Australia’s emissions and contribute considerably to the country’s energy use. Five regions alone – Gladstone, Pilbara, Kwinana, Hunter, and Illawarra – supply a combined A$166 billion to Australia’s Gross Domestic Product and employ 2.9 per cent of Australia’s workforce. They also account for more than 16 per cent of Australia’s Greenhouse Gas emissions each year (Climateworks Centre and Climate-KIC Australia 2022).
04.05.23
Renovation Pathways: Defining zero carbon homes for a climate resilient future
Defining what a zero carbon home looks like in practice is essential for informing policy-makers, lenders, the construction industry and households in the transition to Australia's zero carbon future.
20.04.23
Taking on transition: Impact report 2022
The roots of a net zero future are taking hold, all around us. Now, we need to ensure that this future comes to pass. As you’ll see from these highlights of our impact from 2022, Climateworks is taking on the transition to net zero by targeting the change we need to see with government, companies and institutions.
01.03.23
Pathways to industrial decarbonisation: Positioning Australian industry to prosper in a net zero global economy
In 2023, there is international accord that urgent action is required to reduce emissions in line with Paris Agreement goals and limit warming to below 2°C, and preferably to 1.5°C.
21.02.23
Government climate action: Leading policies and programs in Australia
This report analyses targets, policies and programs announced by Australian federal, state and territory governments, with a focus on policies introduced since the publication of our previous report on state and territory climate action. Building on previous emissions reduction commitments (our 2021 report found that state and territory interim targets translated to an estimated 37–42 per cent reduction below 2005 emissions by 2030, Australia-wide) the states and territories continue to increase their climate action, allocating billions of dollars to emissions reduction measures and making significant regulatory and legislative changes. At a national level, the federal government this year legislated national emissions reduction targets of 43 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030 and net zero emissions by 2050, reflecting an increase in ambition.
06.12.22
Methodology report: Assessing ASX200 alignment to the 1.5°C climate goal
Climateworks Centre has created an assessment approach to provide insights on ASX200 companies’ commitments and alignment with the Paris Agreement goal aiming to limit global warming to 1.5°C.
02.12.22
1.5°C climate goal: How does the ASX200 stack up in 2022?
Climateworks Centre has analysed the ASX200’s climate commitments against a 1.5°C trajectory, in line with mitigating the worst impacts of climate change.
02.12.22
Accelerating EV uptake: Policies to realise Australia’s electric vehicle potential
The global shift to electric vehicles (EVs) is well underway, but Australia’s EV uptake lags behind this trend. In 2021, just two per cent of cars sold in Australia were EVs, despite half of all Australians seeing their next car purchase as an EV.
17.08.22
Setting up industrial regions for net zero – Australian Industry Energy Transitions Initiative Phase 2 report
Australia’s industrial regions are significant in terms of their emissions, energy use and contribution to the economy. With net zero emissions targets now set at state and national levels, targets for industrial regions can facilitate planning and action, and guide decision making for the long-term transition.
20.06.22
Living within limits: Adapting the planetary boundaries to understand Australia’s contribution to planetary health
The Land Use Futures program at Climateworks Centre has adapted the global planetary boundaries framework to Australia, outlining how the nation is tracking against its share of the boundaries and what this means for the land use sector.
06.06.22
Forging the way: Impact report 2021
2021 was a year of important progress on climate, even as the world continued to grapple with many challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic. The COP26 climate summit in Glasgow moved worldwide focus firmly to limiting warming to 1.5 degrees, and to ratcheting up 2030 ambition to align with this long term target.
07.03.22
ASEAN Green Future – Phase 1 Reports
Member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are already raising their climate commitments to meet the Paris Agreement aspiration of limiting global warming to 1.5°C.
29.11.21
Corporate action for 1.5 degrees: Best practice for Australian company net zero commitments
Read our news story: Climateworks report shows what net zero best practice means for business and reveals examples of Australian companies getting it right What does it take to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees?
18.10.21
State and territory climate action: Leading policies and programs in Australia
All Australian state and territory governments are now committed to net zero emissions by 2050 or earlier. These commitments cover all emissions produced within Australia’s borders.
14.10.21
Setting up industry for net zero – Australian Industry Energy Transitions Initiative Phase 1 report
Emissions from Australia’s industrial supply chains are considered ‘hard-to-abate’ because addressing them poses more technological and commercial challenges than encountered in other sectors of the economy.
12.08.21
Net zero momentum tracker – energy sector
Australia’s energy sector must accelerate its pace of decarbonisation if Australia is to reach net zero emissions, in line with the global climate goals.
26.05.21
Holding focus: Impact report 2020
In 2020, Climateworks was proud to adapt and ‘hold focus’ despite the extraordinary circumstance of operating amid a global pandemic. We entered 2020 with a newly developed strategy for the transformative decade ahead.
12.03.21
Net zero momentum tracker – resources sector
The Australian resources sector must rise to the challenge of the global net zero transition The Net Zero Momentum Tracker Resources Sector report, the seventh sector report in a series by Climateworks Australia with the Monash Sustainable Development Institute, analyses 22 of Australia’s biggest emitters within the resources sector.
16.12.20
Recover and reduce – Prudent investments to boost the economy and lower emissions
The COVID-19 pandemic is profoundly affecting all Australian jurisdictions and sectors. The economic fallout is ongoing, unresolved, and the full extent of the impacts are unknown.
14.10.20
Net zero momentum tracker – superannuation sector
Super sector moves on emissions, as funds commit to net zero Superannuation is an influential component of Australia’s economy and a significant and growing source of investment in domestic assets.
16.09.20
Growth through transformation: An investment vision guide for climate and development
To achieve outcomes in line with both the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement, developing countries will require an estimated investment of US$2.6 trillion each year over the next decade.
14.09.20
Moving to zero
Australia’s first comprehensive guide to reaching zero emissions in the transport sector. Moving to zero: Accelerating the transition to zero-emissions transport is Australia’s first comprehensive guide to reaching zero emissions in the transportation sector.
05.06.20
Net zero momentum tracker – transport report
More actions are needed if Australia’s transportation sector is to cut emissions in line with global goals. The Net Zero Momentum Tracker Transport Sector report evaluates the climate commitments of 32 Australian transport operators and logistics companies to assess their alignment with the goal of net zero emissions by 2050, a key element of the Paris Climate Agreement.
05.06.20
Net zero momentum tracker – retail report
Retailers are realising their important role in reducing Australia’s carbon emissions The latest Net Zero Momentum Tracker report assesses the emissions-reductions commitments and activities of 23 leading Australian retail companies.
27.04.20
Scaling up: Impact report 2019
New research supports what is already being felt in Australia and around the world: climate change is happening faster than ever anticipated, bringing with it greater repercussions.
23.04.20
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.
04.04.20
Issues paper: Reshaping Infrastructure for a net zero emissions future
Infrastructure has a significant, lasting influence on Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions. Around 70% of Australia’s emissions are associated with infrastructure projects, according to the issues paper published in partnership by the Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia (ISCA), Climateworks Australia and the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC).
04.03.20
Net zero momentum tracker – local government report
Local governments are seizing the chance to lead on emissions reduction. The latest Net Zero Momentum Tracker report assesses the emissions-reductions commitments and activities of Australia’s 57 largest local governments.
03.02.20
Net zero momentum tracker – banking sector report
Australian banks are taking steps towards net zero emissions, but actions are not yet comprehensive. Prepared by Climateworks with the Monash Sustainable Development Institute, the banking sector report is part of a series focusing on major sectors of the Australian economy as part of the Net Zero Momentum Tracker initiative.
11.11.19
Land use futures – natural capital roadmap
Our natural resources are an asset. ‘Natural capital’ positions our environment alongside other forms of economic management to inform decision making.
31.10.19
Net zero momentum tracker – property sector report
Australia’s property sector is building momentum towards net zero emissions. Sector-wide adoption of a net zero ambition is critical to achieving Paris-aligned targets.
24.09.19
Australian National Outlook
The year is 2060, and what does Australia look like? Have we harnessed social, economic and environmental opportunities? Or are we in a slow decline?
17.06.19
Electric vehicle ready local government fleets: increasing uptake and ambition
Transport is one of the fastest growing sources of emissions in Australia. Electric vehicles fuelled by renewable energy can drastically reduce the sector’s emissions.
14.03.19
Zeroing In: impact report 2017-18
In 2017-2018, Climateworks further zeroed in on the net zero goal, backed by funders, leaders and partners like you. This is your impact.
06.12.18
Built to Perform in northern Australia
New buildings in northern Australia present unique opportunities and challenges in reducing emissions. Differing climate, materials and practices make a region-specific pathway essential.
29.11.18
Decarbonisation futures: industry
Can we reduce emissions and grow our industrial sector by transforming the way we extract, make and supply goods? Decarbonisation Futures: Industry has found that there are innovations that can help reduce emissions while growing industry in Australia.
01.11.18
Decarbonisation Futures: buildings
Can innovation in buildings help shift our trajectory towards decarbonisation? The buildings sector is the driver of about a fifth of Australia’s emissions.
01.11.18
Horizon to horizon
Pacific Island countries face unique challenges and vulnerabilities. As a result, countries must chart their own path towards a desirable, prosperous and sustainable future.
25.09.18
Tracking progress to net zero emissions
Australia is not on track to reach emissions reduction targets under the Paris Agreement. But opportunities exist in proven technologies across electricity, industry, buildings, land and transport.
06.09.18
Built to perform
To reach our climate goals, we must start building for a net zero future now. In July 2018, the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC) and Climateworks Australia released Built to Perform as part of the Building Code Energy Performance Project.
03.07.18
The state of electric vehicles in Australia – second report
Australia’s electric vehicle industry is growing on the back of global trends, media interest and consumer awareness. But it still lags behind the rest of the world.
14.06.18
Plug and play – second report
Going forward, Australia’s electricity network may be less reliant on large, centralised electricity generation. More individuals and businesses are installing renewable generation of their own.
15.05.18
How emerging economies can prosper in a rapidly decarbonising world
Growing prosperity does not require growing emissions. Southeast Asia and the Pacific have the chance to leapfrog redundant technologies and thrive in a decarbonised world.
05.03.18
The bottom line
Delaying improved energy requirements in the Building Code has real household impacts. The National Construction Code influences the energy efficiency of new buildings and major renovations.
07.02.18
The future of private transport in Australia
How can we move people and goods in the most efficient, safe and sustainable way? Private transport is transforming rapidly as electric and autonomous vehicles, car and ride share services disrupt the status quo.
25.01.18
Solving the gas crisis: A big problem deserves a big solution
Australia is facing a gas crisis due to a mismatch between domestic supply and demand in the east coast market, driven by rapid growth in the LNG export market and the absence of a comprehensive national energy policy.
28.11.17
Building momentum: impact report 2016-17
In 2016-17, Climateworks built momentum towards net zero by 2050, through collaborative projects and solo initiatives. 2016-17 was a year of growth across government and industry in recognising and prioritising our Paris Agreement commitments.
22.11.17
Power up: Australia’s electricity sector can and should do more to deliver on our climate commitments
The electricity sector can deliver emissions reductions across Australia’s economy, ensuring we meet our Paris commitments at the lowest cost possible.
12.07.17
The state of electric vehicles in Australia
Electric vehicles are a proven technology with strong environmental, economic and social benefits. Electric vehicles powered by renewable energy can reduce emissions and could help Australia meet its Paris-aligned targets at a lower cost.
14.06.17
The global transition to a two degree economy has begun: here’s how you can prepare
The global transition to a two degree economy has begun. Pressure is increasing on companies and investors to plan for the global transition to a low carbon economy in line with the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global temperature rise this century well below 2 degrees Celsius and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Climate change presents significant and unique challenges to many companies.
12.05.17
The ripple effect: Impact report 2009-16
Climateworks Australia has made significant progress in the seven years since launching our mission to catalyse substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions across Australia’s economy.
01.08.16
Low carbon high performance buildings
How buildings can make a major contribution to Australia’s emissions and productivity goals Australia’s built environment presents a cost-effective emissions reduction opportunity.
12.05.16
Energy Productivity Index for Companies
Could boosting energy productivity improve your investment performance? As part of the ‘Energy Productivity Index for Companies’ project, Climateworks Australia developed an index analysing the energy productivity of 70 global listed industrial companies across six sectors – airlines, automobiles, chemicals, construction, paper and steel.
12.05.16
Improving the fuel efficiency of the Victorian Government’s passenger vehicle fleet
Climateworks has identified clear improvement opportunities for fuel efficiency of the Victorian Government’s passenger vehicle fleet. This report provides an overview of the current fuel efficiency of the Victorian Government’s passenger vehicle fleet and considers a range of potential short and long term options to overcome key barriers to achieve improvements.
22.03.16
A prosperous, net zero pollution Australia starts today
Australia has an opportunity. We can do our fair share, helping to keep global warming below two degrees, while creating a cleaner, modern, and more sustainable future.
26.11.15
Australia’s energy productivity potential
Australia could nearly double energy productivity by 2030, and boost competitiveness with other countries. Climateworks’ research shows that the potential exists to nearly double the energy productivity of the Australian economy by 2030, through investing in the modernisation of our energy system, and taking advantage of recent technological developments.
10.03.15
Energy management and company competitiveness
Energy, once perceived as a relatively low fixed cost, is now becoming an important variable cost that impacts on profits. This report outlines a methodology to assist companies to gain a deeper understanding of energy risks and the opportunities associated with improved energy performance.
01.10.14
Pathways to deep decarbonisation in 2050: how Australia can prosper in a low carbon world
Australia can prosper in a low carbon world. Cost-effective technologies already exist to reach net zero emissions by mid-century. In 2014, as part of the global 2050 Deep Decarbonisation Pathways Project, Climateworks and the Australian National University published ‘Pathways to Deep Decarbonisation by 2050: How Australia can prosper in a low carbon world’.
22.09.14
Improving Australia’s light vehicle fuel efficiency
Improving the fuel efficiency of Australia’s light vehicle fleet can deliver substantial environmental and broader economic benefits. This briefing paper builds on the significant amount of work already undertaken on this issue over the past decade by government, industry, consumer groups and others.
23.02.14
Industrial demand side response potential
This report was commissioned by the federal government as a first step in improving public information on demand response potential in the industrial sector.
20.02.14
Tracking progress towards a low carbon economy
‘Tracking progress’ is the first whole-of-economy report on Australia’s progress in reducing emissions. The report covers key sectors – power, industry, buildings, land use, and waste.
30.07.13
Industrial energy efficiency data analysis project (IEEDA)
This series investigates the energy efficiency opportunities available to medium to large industrial energy users. In 2012, Climateworks published the Inputs to the energy savings initiative modelling from the Industrial energy efficiency data analysis project and a summary report Industrial energy efficiency: summary of key findings from the ESI data analysis project.
02.05.13
IEEDA – summary of key findings from the ESI Project
Extensive analysis has created a significantly more detailed picture of energy efficiency opportunities in the industrial sector than was previously available.
23.12.12
Low carbon lifestyles: A practical guide for households
Householders can save money on their electricity bill while reducing their impact on the environment. The Low Carbon Lifestyles report, commissioned by Origin Energy and prepared by Climateworks and CSIRO, identifies different actions householders can take right now to reduce their energy use or switch to cleaner energy.
16.10.12
IEEDA – inputs to the ESI modelling
The ‘Industrial energy efficiency data analysis (IEEDA)’ project was commissioned by the federal government and state governments through the National Strategy on Energy Efficiency.
19.07.12
Low carbon growth plan for Gippsland
The low carbon growth plan for Gippsland maps out the lowest cost emissions reductions opportunities for the Gippsland region in south-east Victoria.
13.10.11
Unlocking barriers to cogeneration – project outcomes report
Increasingly, Australian property developers and owners are seeking to incorporate cogeneration into their existing buildings and new developments. Cogeneration (combined heat and power) and trigeneration (combined cooling, heat and power) offer Australia significant environmental and economic benefits in the short and long term.
19.09.11
Low carbon growth plan for Greater Geelong
The Low Carbon Growth Plan for Greater Geelong identifies a range of greenhouse gas abatement opportunities that can be achieved for the lowest cost within the municipal boundaries of Greater Geelong.
13.05.11
Commercial buildings emissions reduction opportunities
There is more to commercial buildings than offices. Some promising solutions to commercial buildings emissions reduction are already in place on a small scale in Australia.
14.12.10
Low carbon growth plan for Australia
The low carbon growth plan is the first economy-wide emissions reduction strategy developed for Australia. It clearly identifies that Australia can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions between now and 2020 at low cost.