ISCA has started an ongoing collaboration with Charles Darwin University (CDU), via the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the Australia India Council (AIC) grant program.
Jonathan Avery, General Manager, Sustainability Leadership, has recently returned from New Delhi, India where he was part of a six-person Australian delegation. Jon contributed to a workshop promoting knowledge sharing on the issue of construction, demolition waste, and the current Australian infrastructure industry practices and approaches to addressing this issue. Jon also had the opportunity to discuss and shine a light on the IS International Tool and ISCAs mission.
This collaboration has the goal of increasing cooperation and long-term bilateral strategic partnerships between Australia and India. Researchers, decision makers and industry are working together to improve knowledge and mutual understanding of critical construction and demolition waste management issues.
Jon also had the opportunity to visit the Mahindra TERI Centre of Excellence, a lab that tests sustainable building materials and helps towards mainstreaming market uptake. When operational, this lab will assist sustainable building product manufacturers in introducing their products to the market.
“The workshops were a great opportunity to share information on construction and demolition waste and practices in Australia and India. From an infrastructure sustainability perspective, there remains excellent scope to take the ISCA and TERI relationship forward, and consider ways in which we could collaborate in future.” Jonathan Avery, ISCA.
We are excited to continue this collaboration, with the next round of workshops happening this April in Darwin, Australia.
Below are some great moments captured during the workshops.
ISupply Directory launched today – Thu 24 Jan 2019!
The brand new ISupply Directory is your one-stop-location for sustainable suppliers.
ISupply connects those undertaking an IS Rating to sustainable suppliers who can help projects or assets achieve sustainability outcomes awarded under the IS Rating Scheme.
“The ISupply Directory will help those undergoing an IS Rating find sustainable products and services, supporting them to accelerate their sustainability goals under the IS Rating Scheme.” Chris Moylan, Relationship Manager, ISCA
The ISupply Directory also gives sustainable suppliers a platform to showcase their products and services to our rating partners, and the infrastructure sustainability industry.
With $124bn worth of ANZ infrastructure contractually committed to enhancing liveability and workforce development, management of the natural environment in driving economic productivity; the whole value chain will benefit from being even more informed through this showcase of innovative products and niche services.
“A great initiative, this directory provides us direct access to the procurement and sustainability managers of infrastructure projects looking for innovative and sustainable solutions.” Tony Collister, ENVIROMESH.
The ISupply Directory is a free* service, and can be utilised by all ISCA members to market their products and/or services.
Contact Chris Moylan today to find out more about the ISupply program: cmoylan@isca.org.au or 02 9252 9733.
Congratulations to Main Roads Western Australia, who were presented with the 2018 Organisational Leadership in Infrastructure Sustainability Award in Sydney on October 17, at the 2018 Sustainability in Infrastructure Awards Dinner.
The Organisational Leadership in Infrastructure Sustainability Award recognises an organisation that exhibits the most outstanding performance, leadership and greatest contribution to advancing infrastructure sustainability in Australasia. Open to all ISCA members and industry partners, any organisation may enter this category.
Winners Profile
Main Roads Western Australia (Main Roads) are one of three key transport agencies in Western Australia (WA). Representing one of the world’s most expansive road networks, they are responsible for 18,500 kilometres of road spread over 2.5 million square kilometres. Their role is to support the needs of all road users across the State by providing an integrated world-class road transport network.
Main Roads’ formal sustainability policy ‘Keep WA Moving’, in effect since 2006, makes a commitment to “develop a sustainable transport network that meets social, economic and environmental needs”, and has the aspiration “to provide world class outcomes for the customer through a safe, reliable and sustainable road-based transport system”.
This policy identifies four key-focus areas: Customers, Movement, Safety, and Sustainability. Of these, sustainability is recognised as crucial to achieving the government goal of providing WA with an integrated transport solution and creating an efficient and user-friendly state-wide transport network.
A member of ISCA since 2009, they were the first organisation to register for an IS Version 2.0 (ISv2.0) Planning rating in 2018, with a further five upcoming projects set to undergo ISv2.0 planning ratings.
ISCA congratulates Romilly Madew on her newest appointment as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Infrastructure Australia (IA)
ISCA welcomes the appointment of Romilly Madew to Infrastructure Australia (IA).
Romilly has led the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) since 2006 and throughout her 13 years with GBCA has been a driving force behind Australia’s sustainable building movement. A movement that has changed the shape of buildings, precincts and cities. Her leadership has seen GBCA build a global reputation as an influential advocate and change agent, and become a trusted advisor to government.
IA has a critical role as independent advisor to government, prioritising projects and reforms that serve our communities.
“Romilly’s energetic determination has seen her drive more sustainable built environment outcomes across Australia. We look forward to seeing her impact expand even wider in this new role.” Ainsley Simpson, CEO ISCA.
“We thank Romilly for her support, beginning in our formative years and continuing today; readily sharing experiences and opportunities.”
ISCA is the peak industry body advancing and evaluating the sustainability of Australia’s infrastructure. The IS rating scheme quantifies the benefits of infrastructure investment; a valuable tool in supporting greater transparency and accountability in infrastructure decision-making. ISCA has rated over $125 billion worth of infrastructure spanning 96 different assets in Australia including the majority of nationally significant investments assessed by IA.
“With her leadership, passion and inclusive approach Romilly will certainly excel in stewarding practical integrated outcomes that deliver for our communities and the environment. We wish her every success.” Alison Rowe, ISCA Board Chair and CEO Moreland Energy Foundation.
Award Winners Profile: 2018 Innovation and Impact Award
The winners of the 2018 Sustainability in Infrastructure Awards were announced at the 2018 Sustainability in Infrastructure Awards Dinner on 17 October 2018, in Sydney. The awards recognise and reward projects, assets, organisations and individuals who demonstrate leadership in advancing sustainable outcomes in infrastructure.
ISCA had the pleasure of presenting the 2018 Innovation and Impact Award to the Level Crossing Removal Authority (LXRA) for their Victorian Government led initiative Training for the Future (TFTF). This award recognises the Infrastructure Sustainability (IS) project or asset that exhibits the most outstanding implementation of an innovative practice and/or has made a significant and positive impact socially, environmentally or economically. This award is open to all ISCA members and industry partners.
Winners Profile
In 2016, the Level Crossing Removal Authority (LXRA) recognised a gap in existing inclusion policies for its projects. The Victorian Major Project Skills Guarantee mandated use of apprentices, trainees and cadets, however no targets existed for employment of broader disadvantaged groups, or inclusion of more sustainable social practices into projects or the infrastructure supply chain.
To address this LXRA consulted extensively with industry partners to create a Social Enterprise Strategy, and subsequently lead the development of the first major industry training program of its kind – the Victorian Government Initiative Training for the Future (TFTF).
A skills and industry development program aimed at creating a sustainable and inclusive talent, and supply chain pipeline for major rail infrastructure projects in Victoria. The TFTF’s aim is to create a diverse and sustainable workforce, while delivering long-lasting social and economic outcomes.
The LXRA objective is to act now to create a sustainable and prosperous future….”We unlock greater capacity, reliability and safety for rail commuters…..We leave a legacy for future projects…We share the journey with our stakeholders and the community.”
LXRA collaborated with eight major government and industry bodies from across rail and private sector infrastructure partners to deliver their initiative and programs. Launched on 16 February 2017, they implemented:
The Training for the Future (TFTF) program: a suite of employment programs, including GEN44, GEN8, TRANSIT & GROW. Which target disadvantaged and marginalised cohorts, providing access to opportunities on major rail and infrastructure projects.
Social Procurement Policy: which outlines a commitment to embedding social procurement into LXRA projects and promoting the use of social benefit suppliers, such as social enterprises and aboriginal businesses throughout the supply chain.
Inclusion and Social Procurement Action Plan 2017.
Aboriginal Inclusion Action Plan, and
The Social Procurement Innovators Network: to increase industry collaboration and share learnings.
LXRA overcame several challenges to deliver this five-year program. Key challenges included, addressing industry concerns relating to sufficient social benefit suppliers in the marketplace by partnering with Social Traders and Supply Nation to match buyers and suppliers; Building capacity for social procurement into contracts, through incentive arrangements. Resulting in revised procurement practises and processes of construction partners; Foreseeing potential governance concerns and providing assurance of social benefit suppliers, through Social Trader’s certification processes and Supply Nation’s direct verification practises.
Currently in its first 18 months of delivery, the TFTF program is already delivering direct results. To date, 82 people from marginalised and disadvantaged backgrounds have gained employment, internship and cadetship opportunities as a direct result of the TFTF inclusion and capability programs. Results to date include:
114 marginalised or disadvantaged people from refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds (33.1%), Aboriginal backgrounds (5.6%) and people with a disability (2.8%) have completed the GROW program, with 23 securing employment as a result.
A 24% average of female participation has been achieved across the programs. With the GEN44 and GEN8 internship programs currently achieving a 30% female participation rate.
Other highlights and achievements from the TFTF to date include, LXRA projects have spent $31.5 million with social benefit suppliers and aboriginal businesses; Investments in aboriginal businesses and employment through LXRA’s program of works has resulted in the removal of level crossings with 367,617 aboriginal employment hours; The first Social Innovators Network was convened in July 2018 to complement the monthly subcommittee meetings to share best practices of effective social impact engagements; Tier 1 contractors such as John Holland and MCD Group have adopted the social procurement policy, and are applying it to their own supply chain, and Western Distributor, another Victorian Transport agency, has adopted a social procurement and workforce inclusion plan.
This initiative has allowed smaller social benefit suppliers to bid for work, helped establish new aboriginal businesses, and increased employment of disadvantaged workers in our industry.
Congratulations to the Level Crossing Removal Authority (LXRA) and their partners in the continued success of this program, and for winning the 2018 Innovation and Impact Award.
Keep an eye out as information for the 2019 Sustainability in Infrastructure Awards submissions dates and categories become available.
Indigenous Australian artist Nadeena Dixon designed the ‘Sustainability Story Map’ artwork for the 2018 IS Annual Conference. Sydney Metro’s Laura Pritchard spent the afternoon with Nadeena, where Nadeena offered her perspective on sustainability, the story behind the artwork, and told stories from her childhood. “Sustainability is about wellbeing; it’s wellbeing of people, land, water management, communities – we need to live in cities with beautiful spaces”
ISCA and GRESB Sign MOU – Partnership Focuses on Industry Alignment and Collaboration
Measuring and driving sustainable outcomes in the built environment will become more aligned now that international body GRESB and ISCA have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
With collaboration embedded in the DNA of both organizations, the MOU will create the basis for coordination, alignment and mutual recognition between the GRESB Infrastructure Assessment and the IS Rating Tools.
The vision is to provide asset managers and operators with one “process” that facilitates both reporting to the GRESB Infrastructure Asset Assessment and applying for an IS Operations rating.
GRESB and ISCA will collaborate to streamline connections between IS project and asset operations ratings and GRESB assessments for companies and assets with the aim of reducing participant reporting burden, enhancing data validation processes, and maximising value.
ISCA and GRESB will also work together to advance the rigor of the conversation about sustainable infrastructure, which will result in a joint output.
“We have an obligation to accelerate and enable sustainability wherever we possibly can, and by partnering with GRESB, we are creating more pathways, making sustainability even more accessible for the infrastructure industry,” said Ainsley Simpson, ISCA CEO.
“We’re big advocates of increasing the alignment between sustainability guidelines, frameworks and rating tools in the infrastructure sector. We are excited by this opportunity to work with ISCA to provide greater clarity on what constitutes sustainable performance in infrastructure investments, which then serves as the base for the industry’s collective efforts to help drive improvements,“ said Rick Walters, Director Infrastructure, GRESB.
About GRESB and ISCA
GRESB’s mission is to enhance and protect shareholder value by assessing and empowering sustainability practices in the real asset sector.
GRESB assesses the sustainability performance of real estate and infrastructure portfolios and assets worldwide. It offers ESG data, Scorecards, Benchmark Reports and portfolio analysis tools.
The Assessments are guided by what investors and the industry consider to be material issues in the sustainability performance of real asset investments and are aligned with international reporting frameworks such as GRI and PRI.
Assessment participants receive comparative business intelligence on where they stand against their peers, a roadmap with the actions they can take to improve their ESG performance and a communication platform to engage with investors.
Investors use the ESG data and GRESB’s analytical tools to improve the sustainability performance of their investment portfolios, engage with managers and prepare for increasingly rigorous ESG obligations.
Now in its third year, the 2018 Infrastructure Assessment covered 75 funds and 280 assets (an increase of 75% on the previous year) valued at over US$500 billion. GRESB Investor Members jointly represent over USD 18 trillion in institutional capital.
The Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia (ISCA) is certified social enterprise, member-based not-for-profit and the peak industry body for advancing sustainability outcomes in infrastructure. ISCA’s purpose is to accelerate sustainability in infrastructure. ISCA’s values which drive our culture of value creation are:
Collaboration | Passion | Change | Knowledge
The principle means by which ISCA is advancing sustainability outcomes in infrastructure is through; the development and facilitation of the IS rating scheme, building capacity of industry through training and workshops, engaging industry stakeholders through a community of practice and driving innovation.
Next time you look at that tree in your front garden think about it less as a single specimen but more as a part of a wider urban forest.
The concept of urban forests is easily overlooked in cities and suburbs, but those trees perform the very same functions that trees do in natural forests. They help trap moisture, clean the air, act as wind breaks, minimise soil loss and repel heat. These trees and other vegetation are in fact, a key ally to city-communities in terms of our well-being, and that of our local environment. We all have a part to play in ensuring these trees thrive, or at least survive, in the somewhat hostile and unnatural landscape in which they’ve been planted. All sectors working across the built environment need to focus more attention on the retention, maintenance and enhancement our urban forests. The extreme pressures on the limited number of urban trees in many cities, coupled with climate change is resulting in increased heat island effect, topsoil loss, landscape erosion and declining air quality. We also pay more for energy to cool homes and offices lacking shade from trees, and our visual amenity is compromised.
It’s now better appreciated that urban forests enable better public health outcomes by encouraging us to engage and interact with the local landscape, through outdoor activities and exercise. We can now even monetise the health benefits that individual trees provide to wellness – and its substantial!
Local Councils are now applying urban forest strategies to reduce tree loss and improve existing canopy cover in urban settings. These strategies need to embrace both private and public land and consider current and future land uses. In November 2018, the Western Australian Planning Commission, the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage and the Western Australian Local Government Association released a guideline to assist Local Governments in preserving and enhancing their urban canopy. The Better Urban Forest Planning Guideline focuses on best practice in managing urban tree canopies.
The new guideline also closely aligns with, and supports, the Green Infrastructure category in the new ISv2.0 infrastructure rating scheme recently released by the Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia (ISCA). ISCA’s members and projects pursuing ratings are always looking to push the boundaries in sustainable infrastructure development and operation, and initiatives by projects and asset owners to preserve and enhance urban forests can be explored and rewarded under the scheme as an innovation challenge.
With case studies across Australia, this is a useful resource for the active projects registered for ratings in in the planning and design stage. The Green Infrastructure Category rewards the implementation and/or incorporation of green infrastructure and can be undertaken as an Innovation challenge by all active ISv1.2 projects. This along with the many linkages to energy, ecology, context and legacy these credits can improve rating performance and importantly the longer term benefits including well-being and resilience.
ISCA commends the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage (DPLH) and the Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA) for producing this important guide which will increase awareness about and implementation of more green infrastructure. https://www.planning.wa.gov.au/7216.aspx.
ISCA collaborates with the Global Green Growth Institute at the Africa Green Growth Forum, to advance infrastructure sustainability in Rwanda.
Upon invitation from the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), Kieren Heikkinen and Jon Avery headed over to the African Green Growth Forum, 26-30 Nov 2018, to collaborate with the GGGI. The aim of this trip was to gain an understanding of what is needed for Rwanda to establish interest in an Infrastructure Sustainability Rating Scheme and to begin to develop a community of practice around IS International.
According to the World Bank in 2017, the world will require about $90 trillion in new infrastructure over the next 15 years, – most of it in developing and middle-income countries. Making the right choices in favour of infrastructure that is climate resilient and locks in a low carbon development pathway is critical and urgent. Action now will avoid huge costs later.
It is through schemes like IS International that the benefits of infrastructure sustainability will lead to a more climate resilient and lower carbon Africa.
Our collaborations culminated in a range of regional and international stakeholders coming together to devise action plans to advance the Green Growth Agenda in Africa. During the week ISCA and GGGI co-hosted a Rwandan diagnostic roundtable on Infrastructure Sustainability, providing participants with a general understanding of the benefits of sustainability techniques on infrastructure projects. Participants also engaged in a dialogue on the current processes Rwanda is using to address these issues, and how infrastructure sustainability frameworks can assist in improving overall performance. Kieren and Jon also had the opportunity to present and discuss the Australian Infrastructure Sustainability journey.
“The political will to advance the sustainability agenda in Rwanda was truly eye opening. Indeed the support from the private sector in this endeavour will ensure greater sustainability performance in the region.” said General Manager of Sustainability Leadership, Jon Avery.
“Economic growth in Africa is being led by Rwanda, with an annual 8% increase being sustained over the last ten years. This is an impressive statistic, and is testament to the strong leadership and courage of its citizens to embrace a green agenda for the future”
Through the roundtable events and engagement meetings, ISCA and GGGI will continue to advance infrastructure sustainability in Rwanda. A second phase of activities is in the works for 2019, likely to include further training and piloting of IS International.
Auckland’s City Rail Link (CRL) has been recognised for changing the way infrastructure projects are designed and delivered.
The project has won both the Efficiency Champion category and the Supreme Award – the NZI Transforming New Zealand Award – at this year’s NZI Sustainable Business Network Awards.
The judges said CRL has “proven the infrastructure industry can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and its environmental impact while developing Auckland’s much-needed public transport infrastructure. This will result in ongoing reduction in both congestion and carbon.”
CRL’s Chief Executive, Dr Sean Sweeney, says the awards reflect the commitment of the project team, designers and contractors to delivering the CRL sustainably.
“We’re providing an efficient, low carbon transport option for Auckland but we’re mindful of the significant resources that go into constructing such large-scale infrastructure and aim to minimise resource use as much as possible,” he says.
Rachel Brown, CEO Sustainable Business Network, says: “The CRL will be a tremendous part of Auckland’s public transport infrastructure. It will help demonstrate how New Zealand can move to a low carbon, circular and more accessible city. City Rail Link exhibits best practice that provides an excellent model for other businesses to follow.”
The CRL project is using the Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia (ISCA) rating tool to measure and independently verify its sustainability performance and has so far been awarded two ‘Leading’ sustainability ratings from ISCA; one for its Britomart Station works, delivered by Downer Soletanche Bachy JV, and the other for its Albert Street works, delivered by Connectus (McConnell Dowell & Downer), supported by designers Aurecon, Mott McDonald and Jasmax.
“We’ve been working closely with our designers and contractors to transform the way infrastructure is delivered in this country by making more efficient use of resources and aspiring to send zero waste to landfill,” Dr Sweeney says.
“The attitude and commitment to making sustainability an integral part of building the CRL is already making a real difference to saving money and resources and together we’re always looking for more opportunities as construction progresses.”
The project is on track to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions associated with energy and material use during construction by over 4,000 tCO2e – the equivalent emissions of around 4,500 flights between Auckland and London – and has thus far diverted 97% of construction and demolition waste from landfill.
Initiatives to date include:
Replacing diesel generators with grid-connected transformers. This has saved 200,000 litres of diesel thus far
Collaborating with the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority to train haulage drivers in fuel-efficient driving techniques. This is being implemented not just on the CRL but across the main haulage subcontractor’s fleet of more than 100 trucks
Commissioning local steelmaker Pacific Steel to produce extra-large 50mm reinforcing bar for underpinning the heritage CPO building, reducing the weight of steel required by 83 tonnes.
Using waste power-station fly-ash as a partial cement replacement in construction concrete
Changing the piling methodology for the underpinning of the Britomart Station building from secant piles to diaphragm walls, reducing the amount of materials required.
“We recognise that there’s a responsibility that comes with delivering a project of the scale and significance of City Rail Link,” Dr Sweeney says.
“It provides us with an opportunity to lead the way – and to challenge and inspire others in the construction industry to implement their own sustainability initiatives that we can all learn and benefit from.”
“CRL has made a great start on this journey and the challenge for us now is to continue building on the work we’ve done and supporting our existing and future contracting partners to deliver the best possible sustainability outcomes for the project and Auckland.”
About the City Rail Link
The City Rail Link is the key that will unlock Auckland’s public transport network.
It will transform the iconic Britomart Transport Centre from a dead end one-way station into a two-way through station, so more trains can get in and out of the city.
It includes 3.45kms of new dedicated underground railway that will connect with other rail lines to benefit Auckland’s entire rail network.
When it is in place, it will provide the equivalent of 16 extra lanes of traffic into the city centre in the peak period.
CRL Ltd was established on 1 July 2017 to deliver the CRL on behalf of the Government and Auckland Council, who are jointly funding the project
ISCA Welcomes New Member Director and Farewells Four Directors
New faces and farewells for the ISCA Board after the 2018 Annual General Meeting held yesterday at Lendlease’ Sydney office.
ISCA welcomed two new Board Directors and saw four Directors retire from their positions. The occasion was also marked by the announcement of ISCA’s long-standing Chair, David Singleton AM, retiring as Chair with the appointment of Independent Director and CEO of Moreland Energy Foundation, Alison Rowe, accepting the position as ISCA’s new Chair.
Congratulations to Transurban’s Head of Sustainability, Matthew Brennan, who won the member election to join the Board as the new member Director. Matthew brings with him over twenty years of experience in corporate responsibility and sustainability across private and public asset management and operations, within Australia and overseas.
“I joined to help carry on the great work by the Board that’s taken ISCA to the successful place where it is today and to do my bit to ensure the roads sector in particular continues to enhance its sustainability performance. Also, to provide an asset owner and operator’s perspective on matters”, said Matthew.
Matt brings a detailed understanding of the current key sustainability opportunities and challenges being faced by infrastructure organisations in Australia and North America, the benefits of adopting a strong sustainability agenda, and how to leverage good sustainability performance on a project(s) to transform the overall sustainability of an organisation and vica versa.
“My vision is to champion the Sustainable Development Goals and provide a model for other sectors to emulate in Australia. To then share the lessons learnt globally and use this momentum to help create an international peak body for infrastructure sustainability”
“I’m looking forward to a stimulating and engaging debate on how to ensure ISCA’s ongoing success”
Retiring Chair, David Singleton AM, welcomed Alison and Matthew to the ISCA Board and also took the opportunity to extend the team’s deep gratitude to those Directors retiring this year.
John Holland’s Chief Strategy Officer, Jayne Whitney, retired at the AGM and has served on the Board since its earliest days, in 2011. She has held the position of Deputy Chair since 2016, and in August this year stepped down to be replaced as Deputy Chair by Executive General Manager of Lendlease, Sarah Marshall.
“Jayne’s strategic vision and guidance will be greatly missed, and we thank her for her immense contribution,” said David.
This year, we also say farewell to two long-serving Member Directors, Menno Henneveld AM, Principal at Laing O’Rourke who joined in 2013 and David Kinniburgh, Australian Market Leader, Transportation at GHD, who joined shortly after in 2014. Also stepping down is Independent Director, Leisel Moorhead Partner at QIC Global Infrastructure, having served one full term.
ISCA’s Board is now made up of eleven industry leaders across the built environment who will steer the direction of ISCA to achieve its mission of accelerating sustainability in infrastructure through collaboration.
“On behalf of the Board, our sincere thanks to the passionate ISCA operations team, each a leader in their own right for their exceptional efforts during a year of much change and growth,” said David.
Alison and Matthew are looking forward to working with the team and ISCA members whose inclusive, open and collaborative support is vital to deliver positive outcomes for the infrastructure supply chain and ISCA’s wider beneficiaries.
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