With COP28 due to take place soon, the world will be taking stock on its progress on the Paris Agreement and climate action. Let’s take some time to reflect on the Net Zero targets that the Australian Federal and State governments have committed to, along with highlights from high-emitting sectors such as transport, resources, and infrastructure.
The state currently has one of the highest rates of per capita emissions in the world and the highest emissions of any Australian state, at over 159MtCO2-e in 2020.
The Queensland Government has set economy-wide emissions reduction targets of:
We could expect to see more targets being fleshed out next year, as the state Government has noted the following procurement-specific requirements:
In March 2023, the Queensland Climate Transition Bill was introduced to Parliament, which:
However, the State Development and Regional Industries Committee recommended the bill not be passed.
Across the sectors, here are some notable developments.
Queensland’s Zero Emission Vehicle Strategy 2022–2032 and the first Zero Emission Vehicle Action Plan 2022–2024 set new targets for zero net emissions vehicles of:
The Department of Transport and Main Roads requires all major project sustainability assessments (exceeding $100 million) to utilize the Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia rating tool, attaining a minimum rating of 'excellent' or higher.
Brisbane 2032 is the first Games to contractually commit to being climate positive.
With approximately $220 billion of procurement expected in preparation for the 2032 Olympic Games, Queensland is dedicated to constructing infrastructure that achieves a 6 Star Green Star rating.
What a 6 Star Green Star rating entails. Source: Green Building Council Australia
A statutory net zero GHG emissions target for 2050
The Climate Change (Net Zero Future) Bill 2023 has been passed which legislates NSW's GHG emissions targets to:
NSW total annual emissions to 2030. Source: NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment
Across the sectors, here are some notable developments.
Infrastructure NSW (INSW) is taking action through three key initiatives, most of which we’ll see in full swing from 2024:
Transport for NSW has recently unveiled fresh climate change and net zero targets for its operations, alongside the introduction of a Sustainable Infrastructure Program. This program aims to integrate sustainability into every process, with key targets including:
City of Sydney, the first council to become carbon neutral in 2007, declared a Climate Emergency in 2019. They have set these targets in their 2021-2025 environmental strategy:
Victoria became one of the earliest jurisdictions globally to enshrine a net zero emissions target into law. The Government also brought forward the commitment to achieve net-zero from 2050 to 2045.
Across the sectors, here are some notable developments.
Transport is the second-largest source of emissions in Victoria. Here’s the pledge of this sector:
Victoria’s renewable energy targets:
The Victorian water sector is taking world-leading action to reduce its emissions. The sector has set targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions by:
Along the way, the water sector will source all of its electricity from renewable sources by 2025.
The City of Melbourne is implementing a Climate Change Mitigation Strategy with a focus on prioritising net-zero carbon buildings and precincts, adopting 100% renewable energy, promoting zero-emission transport, and reducing waste impact to facilitate the achievement of net zero operational carbon buildings.
Having operated as a carbon-neutral organisation since 2012, the City of Melbourne declared a Climate Emergency in 2019, leading to a commitment to achieving a net-zero emissions target by 2040.
A notable target within this is the target for all existing buildings to be “zero carbon ready” by 2040, which means more than 80 buildings will need to be retrofitted each year to reach this target. Retrofit Melbourne Plan was launched to support this goal.
2030: 50% reduction on 2005 levels
2050: Net zero emissions
100% net renewable energy generation by 2030
From mid-2024, the Department for Infrastructure and Transport will require all suppliers tendering for work valued at more than $50 million to provide evidence that they have an organisational emission reduction target(s) addressing:
2050: Net zero emissions
While the WA Government has set a long-term goal of achieving economy-wide net zero emissions by 2050, interim targets and formalized emission reduction goals through legislation are yet to be established.
Nevertheless, the government is actively engaged in developing sectoral emissions reduction strategies (SERS) in collaboration with business and industry. We might see new policy and initiatives to support decarbonisation by the end of this year.
2025: 50-60% reduction on 1990 levels
2030: 65-75% reduction
2040: 90-95% reduction
2045: Net zero emissions
2030: 50% renewable energy
2050: Net zero emissions
2030: Net zero emissions (achieved in 2015)
2030: 43% reduction on 2005 levels
2050: Net zero emissions
The Federal Government is also developing 6 sectoral decarbonisation plans, which will include pathways and goals for the major components of the economy. We can expect to see them unveiled next year.
Emissions data by sector and quarter. Source: DCCEEW
The 2021 Australian Local Government Climate Review illustrates the level of ambition by Australian councils and communities regarding climate change. Some findings include:
The Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment
The Commitment recognises action by businesses, organisations, cities and subnational governments in addressing both operational and embodied carbon emissions within the building and construction sector.
Current numbers of signatories
Race to Zero
As of June 2023, we have reached a tipping point, with 20% of key participants from various segments of the building environment value chain participating in the Race to Zero. This milestone signifies a unified direction within the sector toward achieving the 2030 Breakthrough Outcome (which means all new projects completed from 2030, are net zero carbon in operation, with >40% reduction in embodied carbon).
By revenue, globally, this includes: 17% of major construction companies, 31% of major real estate investors and real estate asset managers and 50% of major engineering consultants and architects.
International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM)
Members of the ICMM have committed to a goal of net zero Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050 or sooner. This represents a joint commitment of companies making up one-third of the global mining and metals industry.
We might also see Scope 3 targets by the end of this year.
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