Australia's governments are coming together to tackle emissions from infrastructure construction. 

The New South Wales Government has reportedly received support for its plan to decarbonise infrastructure projects by consistently measuring embodied emissions. 

These elusive emissions, stemming from the production and transportation of materials like concrete and steel, have been notoriously difficult to quantify, leading to little incentive for construction companies to innovate their supply chains.

The impact of ‘embodied’ emissions is significant, with government estimates suggesting they contribute up to 10 per cent of Australia's total emissions. 

NSW, leading the charge, has pledged to reduce emissions in public works by 2027, and the plan has gained momentum under the current Labor government and Transport Minister, Jo Haylen.

At a recent transport and infrastructure ministers' meeting in Perth, the commonwealth and states and territories reportedly rallied behind NSW's pioneering framework. 

The ultimate goal is to develop a consistent metric for quantifying emissions, laying the groundwork for an agreement at the mid-2024 ministers' meeting.

“After a decade in the slow lane, Australian governments are now on the fast track to greener infrastructure, with NSW leading the nation on this critical work,” Haylen said.

“Industry is crying out for certainty to allow them to make smart investment and procurement decisions, drive down costs and reduce environmental impacts,” she said.

The endorsement of this model has been warmly received by environmental advocates. Anna Skarbek, CEO of the Climateworks Centre, applauded the comprehensive approach, recognizing that the life cycle of emissions involves several steps. 

She indicated that cost-benefit analyses may shift under this new model, influencing funding decisions for infrastructure projects.

Adrian Dwyer, CEO of Infrastructure Partnerships Australia, has emphasised the model's ability to set thresholds for projects, encouraging industry-wide improvements. 

Others note that Australia has some catching up to do compared to Europe in addressing embodied emissions.