Transport is the third largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Australia, amounting to 21 per cent of Australia’s national greenhouse gas emissions in 2023. Without further action, transport will be the largest source of emissions in Australia by 2030. Transport infrastructure is estimated to account for a further 3 per cent of Australia’s total emissions.
The decarbonisation of infrastructure and transport is a key priority for the Infrastructure and Transport Ministers’ Meeting (ITMM). To progress this work, ITMM established the Infrastructure Decarbonisation Working Group and Decarbonisation of Transport Working Group, consisting of representatives from the Commonwealth and every state and territory, to progress the decarbonisation of infrastructure and transport respectively.
Nationally consistent value for carbon
On 6 December 2023 PDF: 180 KB, ITMM approved a nationally consistent set of carbon values for use in transport infrastructure project decision making.
The values will apply to submissions received by Infrastructure Australia for evaluation from Australian, state or territory governments.
The carbon values are published as a Guidance Note outlining the emissions values for use in submissions to Infrastructure Australia, including parameter values for sensitivity testing, and how they should be applied. Infrastructure Australia also provide a Modelling Report with detailed information on the method used to estimate the emissions values and the data sources used.
Further information on the carbon values can be found at Infrastructure Australia's Valuing emissions for economic analysis page.
Policy on the application of carbon values on transport projects
On 7 June 2024 PDF: 218 KB,ITMM provided in-principle support for the use of the nationally consistent set of carbon values in the assessment of business cases for transport infrastructure projects over $100 million, with an aspirational commencement date of 1 January 2025.
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Embodied Carbon Measurement for Infrastructure: Technical Guidance
On 7 June 2024 PDF: 218 KB, ITMM also agreed to a nationally consistent approach for valuing embodied carbon for use in transport infrastructure projects, called the Embodied Carbon Measurement for Infrastructure: Technical Guidance.
The Embodied Carbon Measurement for Infrastructure: Technical Guidance (National Measurement Guide) provides a consistent approach for measuring embodied carbon in infrastructure projects nationally by infrastructure delivery agencies, their advisors, delivery partners, and emissions tool vendors. This Guide supports consistency across all Australian jurisdictions by providing common methodology, assumptions, approach to data use, and reporting approaches.
Measurement of embodied carbon is crucial for its effective management. Embodied carbon emissions are set to form a major and increasing part of infrastructure related emissions, as the electricity grid transitions to decarbonised sources and operational emissions decline.
The absence of a consistent approach to measurement of embodied carbon is a key barrier to reducing embodied emissions. This Guide addresses that key barrier by setting out a consistent scope of carbon to measure and approach to measuring across infrastructure asset types. Use of a consistent measurement approach will enhance the consistency and accuracy of carbon valuation in business case options, as well as enable consistent carbon measurement within the context of setting any commercial and technical requirements. In turn, a nationally consistent measurement approach supports industry action to reduce emissions, and can facilitate benchmarking and target setting for transport infrastructure projects.
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Shared principles for national transport decarbonisation
On 6 December 2023 PDF: 180 KB, ITMM endorsed shared principles for national transport decarbonisation.
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