Australian Government consulting on the roadmap to a net zero transport sector
Media Release shared from Ministers for the Department of Infrastructure
Wednesday 22 May 2024
The Hon Catherine King MP
Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government
JOINT RELEASE WITH
The Hon Chris Bowen MP Minister for Climate Change and Energy
The Albanese Government is seeking public feedback on the most effective options for governments, business and the community, to reduce emissions in the transport sector by 2050.
The Transport and Infrastructure Net Zero Consultation Roadmap, which has been released today, identifies opportunities for productivity benefits and innovation through decarbonising transport and transport infrastructure.
The Roadmap process is intended to identify tangible and achievable changes that can help navigate the path to a cleaner future in a way that is economically responsible, creates jobs and eases cost of living.
Transport is currently the third-largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Australia, amounting to 21 per cent of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2023. If we do not act, transport emissions are on track to be the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Australia by 2030.
The Government is developing a Net Zero 2050 plan, to ensure Australia maximises the benefits of the global transformation to net zero and provide long-term policy certainty to drive investment in low emissions and renewable technologies.
To support the Plan, the Government is developing six sectoral plans covering electricity and energy; industry; resources; the built environment; agriculture and land; and transport.
The Transport and Infrastructure Net Zero Roadmap and Action Plan will be the net zero sectoral plan for the transport and transport infrastructure sectors.
Taking action will increase the productivity and resilience of the sector, the infrastructure which it underpins and support job creation from the sector’s Net Zero transition.
By providing feedback on the Consultation Roadmap, all Australians now have an opportunity to share their views on the potential pathways for transport and transport infrastructure and the actions governments, business and the community can take for those sectors to contribute to net zero by 2050.
This feedback will guide the development of the actions and policies that the Government will commit to in the final Transport and Infrastructure Net Zero Roadmap and Action Plan, which will be released later this year.
Consultation will close on 26 July 2024.
To view the Transport and Infrastructure Net Zero Consultation Roadmap, and provide feedback, visit www.infrastructure.gov.au/NetZeroHYS.
Quotes attributable to Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King:
“We seek the views of all interested Australians, and wish to engage with industry, the climate movement, experts, unions, the community and with all levels of government to develop this sectoral plan, ensuring it is robust, ambitious and achievable, and accepted by the community.
“We have set out important questions in the Consultation Roadmap and will work with stakeholders on identifying and implementing actions to reduce transport emissions in a way that works for Australia.
“With this new Consultation Roadmap acting as a guide, we are committed to creating a cleaner future that is economically responsible and socially inclusive, creates jobs, and ensures we have a future made in Australia."
Quotes attributable to Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen:
“Across the economy, Australia emitted about 465 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent gases in the past year, with the transport sector responsible for about a fifth of those emissions.
“There are exciting opportunities for positive change and innovation that will come with decarbonising our transport and infrastructure sectors. Our recently-passed National Vehicle Emissions Standards will avoid about 80Mt of emissions by 2035, and save billions in fuel costs. I encourage all interested Australians to have their say on the Consultation Roadmap.”