ROADS REVIEW
WITH THE SIXTH IPCC ASSESSMENT REPORT ON CLIMATE CHANGE UNDERLINING THE IMPORTANCE OF ‘IMMEDIATE, DEEP AND SUSTAINED’ CO2 EMISSION REDUCTIONS ACROSS ALL INDUSTRIAL SECTORS, WE ASKED THE LEADERS: “WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES FACING A NET ZERO EMISSION FUTURE FOR AUSTRALIA’S INFRASTRUCTURE SECTOR?”
MICHAEL KILGARIFF, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, ROADS AUSTRALIA There is enormous willingness on the part of industry to progress towards net zero. What’s now needed is a clear nationally consistent plan that will help us to achieve that outcome. This includes the incorporation of sustainability measures in procurement models across all jurisdictions, further incentives to encourage use of vehicles and equipment powered by clean energy, and a clear focus on embedding sustainability within all workforce and skills training programs. These measures will help demonstrate to the community – and our future workforce – that our sector is serious about helping achieve net zero.
TONY ALOISIO, DIRECTOR, ECOLOGIQ A major challenge is avoiding the use of quarried materials – reducing embedded carbon costs across the project lifecycle and the impacts on the natural landscape – and minimising material transportation emissions. Ecologiq is meeting these challenges by optimising the use of recycled and reused materials and helping transport projects source locally. Recycled plastic and crumb rubber are emerging solutions to reduce carbon outputs, replacing quarried steel and concrete materials in applications like noise walls and railway sleepers. Low-carbon products like geopolymer concrete can also help, as can crushed concrete and RAP, which prevent resources from needing to be quarried or imported.
THOMAS MORTIMER, SENIOR POLICY ADVISOR – CLIMATE CHANGE, ENGINEERS AUSTRALIA With 70 per cent of Australia’s emissions attributed to or enabled by physical infrastructure, the sector will play an important role in the wider economy’s transition to net-zero emissions. Much of the challenge is in scaling up applications proven to support deep emissions reductions cost-effectively. For instance, a comprehensive charging network is an important prerequisite to widespread electric vehicle uptake. Effective mobilisation of capital to these ends requires strong, cohesive policy settings – ideally including a national net-zero target and decarbonisation strategy. Ongoing support for R&D and engineering innovation will also be necessary to address harder-to-abate activities, such as the production of key construction materials.
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ROADS OCTOBER 2021
