A Net Zero Unit has been established in the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communication and the Arts, to drive transport and infrastructure emissions reductions.
Led by Ian Porter, the new unit is planned to identify how the infrastructure industry can work across government and with others in the industry to help achieve net zero and improve the resilience and longevity of transport networks and supply chains in the face of increasing extreme weather events.
As currently planned, the unit has relevance to the aggregates and construction materials industry, as the flow on effect of ensuring the lifespan of supply chains is important to quarries and other plants reliant on efficiently transporting materials to location.
The unit will support the cross-portfolio Net Zero Taskforce, that is planned to advise the Government on ensuring regional Australians benefit from Australia’s transformation to a renewable energy superpower.
Porter brings significant experience in climate change, energy and sustainability policy, as well as working across government, public service, consulting and the not-for-profit sector – including most recently heading up program delivery for Climateworks, as said by Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King.
“Ian Porter brings a wealth of experience that will support the new Net Zero Unit’s critical work to take our transport and infrastructure climate change policy, research and engagement to the next level,” King said.
“Achieving our Government’s emissions reduction targets on the path to net zero by 2050 will require concerted action to drive emissions lower across the transport sector.”
The decision to form the unit, builds on important initiatives already underway across the portfolio, that include creating a Jet Zero Council to promote sustainable aviation fuels in this country and consulting on fuel efficiency standards for light vehicles to support the National Electric Vehicle Strategy.
Additionally, the unit forms part of the Government’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 43 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
“We are already helping to achieve this,” King said, “through increasing the uptake of electric vehicles, considering fuel efficiency standards, improving consumer information, promoting alternative aviation fuels and other technologies, and engaging with international partners to reduce shipping emissions.”
The unit will help to advance the Government’s emissions commitments by connecting government agencies, industry and climate experts together to translate the latest research into action, while ensuring climate expertise is embedded into policies and investments.
“I look forward to continuing to work closely with my department as we facilitate a cleaner, greener era for Australia’s transport and infrastructure sectors,” King said.