28 Mar 2025
Australia’s infrastructure sector is strengthening its commitment to achieving net zero, taking decisive steps to decarbonise one of the nation’s largest industries.
Infrastructure Net Zero, a coalition of leading government and industry bodies hosted by the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC), has released a new report ‘A Solid Foundation: A Common Definition for Net Zero Infrastructure and How to Get There.’
The report establishes a clear definition of net zero, outlines best practice carbon measurement and management standards, and provides guidance on their adoption.
Alison Scotland, Executive Director of ASBEC, emphasised the importance of collective action.
"When Infrastructure Net Zero transitioned to ASBEC, our vision was to unite the sector under a shared strategy to decarbonise infrastructure. Today, we are excited to take the next step with our industry partners, ensuring Australia’s infrastructure is built for a net zero future," Ms Scotland said.
The Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) has been a key founding supporter of this transition. CEFC CEO Ian Learmonth highlighted the role of finance in accelerating the shift.
"The built environment including infrastructure is responsible for 57% of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions, making it critical to achieving our national climate goals. As one of the founding supporters of Infrastructure Net Zero, we’re helping to drive industry-wide change, ensuring projects are designed and delivered with lower emissions from day one," Mr Learmonth said.
The report aligns with global frameworks such as the Greenhouse Gas Protocol and PAS 2080:2023 “Carbon Management in Infrastructure and Built Environment”, leveraging established rating tools like Green Star, NABERS, and the Infrastructure Sustainability (IS) rating scheme to ensure consistency in carbon measurement and reporting across the sector.
By adopting these best practices, the infrastructure industry can track, manage, and reduce emissions while enhancing resilience to climate change.
Green Building Council of Australia CEO Davina Rooney welcomed the release of the report as a milestone in the sector’s transition.
"This work is the next major step in defining what net zero means for infrastructure in Australia. It’s critical that we move from ambition to action and ensure our infrastructure developments support a sustainable, climate-resilient future," Ms Rooney said.
Toby Kent, CEO of the Infrastructure Sustainability Council, stressed the need for a unified approach.
“Decarbonising infrastructure is complex, and a consistent framework for measurement and reporting is essential for accelerated and improved progress.
“Whilst progress has been made in pockets of the sector, the criticality but also the complexity of decarbonising infrastructure cannot be understated,” Mr Kent said.
The report A Solid Foundation: A Common Definition for Net Zero Infrastructure and How to Get There is available for download here