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Future Focus Forum – Policy

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With wide-scale policy reform on the agenda, we look at the progressive steps being taken to help advance sustainability best practice. During this webinar we were  joined by David Tucker, Chief of Infrastructure Assessment with Infrastructure Australia; Gillian Blythe, CEO of Water NZ; and Luke Belfield, Acting Chief Engineer with the Office of Projects Victoria, who will provide an overview of the respective policy reforms being undertaken by their organisations, some of the broader sustainability trends and priority areas shaping the future direction of the industry, and how infrastructure investment can be better leveraged to deliver better outcomes for the community, environment and industry.

To watch the recording of the session, click below.

Industry Briefing – Modern Slavery & Infrastructure

Posted on by loren.blundell@iscouncil.org

The construction and performance of our infrastructure shapes the world that we live in and the future that we will leave to the next generations.

As part of our commitment to delivering sustainable infrastructure, we are working with our members to tackle modern slavery risks in our sector through the Modern Slavery Coalition. This Coalition brings together some of Australia’s largest infrastructure companies to explore options to assess and address key modern slavery risks area, including through engagement with suppliers.

If you are an Infrastructure Sustainability Council member, or work in the infrastructure industry, and want to learn more about the Coalition and modern slavery risks in our sector, watch the recording of our recent Industry Briefing Webinar on Modern Slavery. 

Levers for change series – Sustainable Finance and Climate-Related Disclosures

Posted on by loren.blundell@iscouncil.org

We live in a time of adaptation whether it is to the risks and opportunities resulting from climate change, changing regulatory and reporting requirements, or stakeholder and staff expectations.

In this bite sized Infrastructure Sustainability Council (ISC) thought-leadership series we examine the levers for change, what and who is helping us get into gear and build momentum to meet the change. In this particular webinar we examine sustainable finance and the impending climate related disclosure regime in Aotearoa New Zealand

Watch the recording and hear from industry experts, Amelia Sharman of External Reporting Board, Louise Tong of Bank of New Zealand, Kaapua Smith of Contact Energy Ltd, Philip Houghton-Brown of BT Funds Management Ltd and Adrienne L. Miller of Infrastructure Sustainability Council. 

Regency Road to Pym Street Project (R2P Project, Adelaide, South Australia)

Posted on by loren.blundell@iscouncil.org

The IS rating scheme (IS v 2.0 Design & As-Built) has inspired the R2P Alliance to move beyond ‘business as usual’ and include sustainability criteria in all significant decisions. The result has been new ways of working that are bringing strong economic, environmental and social outcomes.

The Project:

At-grade multi-lane motorway, motorway overpass, transition to lowered motorway, pedestrian and cycle overpass

Alliance: Department for Infrastructure and Transport, McConnell Dowell, Mott MacDonald, Arup

Alliance contract signed: July 2019 | Practical completion: August 2021

IS rating: IS v2.0 (Design and As-Built) | Design rating: Gold | As-Built rating: pending

Desired Sustainability Objectives: 

  • Governance
  • Economic
  • Environmental
  • Social

Overview:

“Pursuing an IS rating puts the focus on sustainability, particularly with management teams,” says Cathy Chesson, Technical Director, Mott MacDonald. “On the R2P Project, it pushed us to examine each part of the project for sustainability outcomes we might not traditionally have thought of.”

Some outcomes were the result of smart procurement. For example, when the Alliance chose construction materials, they opted for Downer’s Reconophalt, a ‘circular economy’ asphalt product which incorporates soft plastics, printer cartridges and recycled asphalt.

Then, encouraged by the IS rating scheme, the team sought an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) to better understand the greenhouse gas emissions involved in using Reconophalt. This information is now available to the wider industry through ISCA’s materials calculator.

The R2P Alliance set targets for social outcomes too – and bettered them. Women fill more than 25% of the project’s management positions across 14 professional and technical roles; workforce targets for Aboriginal people have been exceeded; the project proudly employs South Australia’s first civil construction apprentices.

“If you don’t have something to aim for, how are you going to achieve these social sustainability outcomes?” asks Anna Kordahi, McConnell Dowell’s Environment and Sustainability Manager.

Anna believes the project benefitted from IS performance standards which required the R2P Alliance to collaborate across many disciplines, and with community stakeholders too. “That drove us to make sure we included everyone who needed to be involved.”

Cathy and Anna stress that it is important to get things right ‘from the start’. Practitioners should seek early buy-in from leadership teams, involve design and construction sustainability teams, suppliers and contractors upfront, and set up sustainability systems and plans in the tender phase. They also recommend focusing on big-ticket items to make the greatest sustainability gains.

Cathy has a word for proponent clients too: “Contract requirements really do drive outcomes!”

The Infrastructure Sustainability Council congratulates the R2P Alliance on their IS v2.0 Gold IS rating and the major sustainability gains they have achieved.

More Information:

R2P Alliance • Regency Road to Pym Street Alliance

 

Credit: R2P Project

Caption: Installing the pedestrian and cycle overpass, near Pym Street

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE | Industry first partnership to lead the way to achieve net-zero transport in Australia

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An industry-first partnership between Roads Australia (RA), the Australasian Railway Association (ARA) and the Infrastructure Sustainability Council has been announced today, with the three bodies united in their efforts to help reduce the climate change impact of new and existing transport infrastructure.

The focus of the project will be to showcase best-in-class initiatives and make policy recommendations that help Australia achieve net zero emissions by 2050, in line with the Paris Accord.

This partnership underscores the transport infrastructure sector’s commitment to enhanced sustainability outcomes and follows the IPCC Report released last month. The IPCC Report reinforced the urgent need for decarbonisation across the economy to achieve the Paris targets and avoid some of the significant impacts of climate change on our communities and regions.

RA, ARA and the Infrastructure Sustainability Council have engaged KPMG to undertake the study, which will culminate in a report to be published later this year. The focus is on identifying ways government and industry stakeholders can accelerate decarbonisation throughout a transport asset’s lifecycle, by reducing embodied, operating and enabled emissions.

The strategic importance of this project is supported by the partnership’s collective members, including those common to all three partnership organisations. This includes Arup, engaged as the report sponsor, a firm committed to accelerating reduction in carbon emissions and creating effective sustainability outcomes for their clients.

In 2020, the Reshaping Infrastructure for net zero report estimated that transport construction contributed around half of infrastructure’s total annual construction emissions and approximately a third of infrastructure’s enabled emissions – or equivalent of around 121Mt CO2e.

“The organisations involved in this initiative clearly understand the impact transport infrastructure has on the environment and climate change,” said RA CEO Michael Kilgariff.

“No single organisation can effectively address the challenge. This partnership recognises that strong collaboration between government and industry is required to meet national and global sustainability goals and community expectations.”

“This is a great opportunity for the transport sector to come together to support the development of sustainable, resilient and connected communities as Australia moves to net zero,” said ARA CEO Caroline Wilkie.

“This collaboration reflects the shared commitment of our sector to showcase best practice and deliver real solutions to enhance the sustainable development of transport infrastructure in Australia.”

“Over the last decade consideration of the quadruple bottom line, with a particular focus on environmental sustainability and net zero, has become standard practice for many large transport projects,” said Infrastructure Sustainability Council CEO Ainsley Simpson

“This industry-first collaboration will help our shared members maximise their capability, commitment and experience to help every part of our sector accelerate toward our net-zero future,” she said.

“We are delighted to be working with RA, ARA and the Infrastructure Sustainability Council on this timely piece of work addressing environmental sustainability in transport infrastructure – and to provide support for the cause through our Corporate Citizenship program,” said Alistair Coulstock, Director KPMG Climate Change and Sustainability.

“This thought leadership piece will showcase some great transport infrastructure projects in Australia and overseas. More importantly, it is an opportunity to identify vital policy recommendations that will assist federal and state government decision-making in order to map out a practical pathway towards a low carbon future.”

”Arup is keen to support Australia’s transport sector in scaling-up current sustainability initiatives and implementing new ones. We see multiple opportunities for positive change through a combination of existing and new technology,” said Kerryn Coker, Co-Chair, Arup Australasia.

“Governments can make significant impact through policies, and as major transport infrastructure and service providers – influencing low carbon investment choices across construction, manufacturing, fuels, operations, maintenance and decommissioning. We see this report as a catalyst for more sustainable public and private transport ecosystems with enduring social benefits.”

Further Information:

Simon Morgan, Director Corporate Affairs – Roads Australia – 0403 477 131

Joeley Pettit, Director, Corporate Services and Corporate Affairs – Australasian Railway Association – 0407 061 421

Laura Harkins-Small, Head of Advocacy – Infrastructure Sustainability Council – 0423 058 183

Please Note:

The Infrastructure Sustainability Council Chief Executive Officer Ainsley Simpson will take part in two webinars hosted by RA and the ARA this week.

Infrastructure Australia Plan points to sustainability and resilience as the nation’s biggest opportunities

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The Infrastructure Sustainability Council has welcomed Infrastructure Australia’s 2021 Infrastructure Plan and its emphasis on sustainability and resilience.

The 2021 Infrastructure Australia Plan is a 15-year roadmap for infrastructure reform that responds to the challenges and opportunities identified in the 2019 Australian Infrastructure Audit. The Plan sets out detailed recommendations to deliver better infrastructure for all Australians.

“We are very pleased to see sustainability and resilience valued as strategic priorities and called out on page three of the Plan, rather than buried one hundred pages deep. This speaks volumes about Infrastructure Australia’s priorities and the future direction of infrastructure investment in this country,” says Infrastructure Sustainability Council’s Chief Executive Officer, Ainsley Simpson.

“The Plan clearly articulates that sustainability and resilience are among the biggest risks to our nation and are at the core of public value. This makes sustainability and resilience our biggest opportunities and a shared responsibility.”

Ms Simpson says Infrastructure Australia’s direction aligns with the Infrastructure Sustainability Council’s strategic plan, released in July, which seeks to embed sustainability into infrastructure decision-making “by making it easy to compare and improve sustainability performance”.

“We must consistently measure what matters because we know measurement leads to better management – and that in turn attracts investment. Members of the Infrastructure Sustainability Council are committed to measuring what matters and more than $200 billion of investment has been registered with the IS Rating Scheme since 2012.

“Our data confirms that sustainable infrastructure delivers for communities, with projects rated under the IS Rating scheme reducing energy consumption by 68%, for example. We also know that every $1 of investment in an IS-rated project returns up to $2.40 in benefits to Australians – benefits like better health outcomes or human capital development.

“Infrastructure Australia’s Plan emphasises the importance of national harmonisation, sectoral and system-level policy and principles, as well as the importance of collaboration to achieve best practice. The IS Council is behind Infrastructure Australia’s call to collaborate to accelerate, because a problem shared, is a problem solved faster.

“We also applaud Infrastructure Australia’s collaborative spirit during the development of the plan. The result is a testament to the many hours of engagement, input and support from industry.

“We support systemic reform and are pleased to see a Plan that advances infrastructure policy, planning and procurement for a resilient, inclusive and low-emission future,” Ms Simpson concludes.

 

Media contact:

Karen Jamal karen@kjcommunications.com or 0412 179 135

Infrastructure Sustainability Council is proud to be working alongside Downer

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The Infrastructure Sustainability Council is proud to be working alongside Downer in their pursuit of achieving greater sustainability performance across infrastructure projects and assets.

Marcus Stephens, General Manager – Tasmania of Downer  quotes “Our journey has evolved throughout the process of working with the IS Council.

What began as a point of differentiation has evolved into new, more efficient ways of working.

“A clear benefit has been creating a culture of thinking differently. It has created a pathway for innovation and is driving efficiencies within the business,” said Marcus.

An unexpected benefit has been the validation of our approach to asset management.

“It has reinforced what we are doing in the asset management space. By taking a whole-of-life approach and optimising the work we do on the network though network modelling, we are minimising waste, virgin materials and carbon emissions,” said Marcus.

There are also clear benefits for our customers and the community.

“By focusing on the IS Council’s approach to delivering services, we were able to provide a clear financial benefit to our customers at tender time,” said Marcus.   In addition, we are creating deeper relationships with Local Government Authorities and our supply chain, employing disadvantaged workers and creating safer community assets and recreational spaces.

We have a number of key learnings from this process that we are excited to be implementing to further enhance our offering to the local community “We’re now looking at ways that we can take things further, how can we drive further sustainability benefits by exploring other areas?” Marcus said.

Ainsley Simpson, CEO of the Infrastructure Sustainability Council quotes “Building sustainability into asset management increases asset use, enables resilience for the communities it serves and delivers efficiencies like decreased lifecycle costs.

“We would like to congratulate our partner Downer for their continued success embedding sustainability as best practice asset management. Whilst never an easy task, it is a testament to their ongoing leadership ensuring all infrastructure assets deliver social, cultural, environmental and economic benefits,” says Ainsley.

Te Kori Scott PointSustainable Sports Park achieves Leading Design Rating

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Project Description:

Scott Point Sustainable Sports Park is a 16.4ha area of land in the northwest of Auckland that is about to be transformed from a rural landscape to a public park to meet the needs of a new community.

Development of this park is no ordinary feat. Scott Point is set to become the first fully sustainable park in New Zealand. Auckland Council is embarking on this project as a flagship for the future sustainable provision of parks. It will help steer the future course of design, development, management and governance of parks across Auckland in a way that responds to the urgent needs of our planet for sustainable custodianship.

Auckland Council’s Service Principles have informed the development of the master plan. These include: Resource sustainability; Community equity and belonging; Re-wilding; Team and co-design; and Standards and outcomes.

The park will comprise three main areas: an area for sports and active recreation, an informal recreation area, and an area of ecological restoration and conservation. Each is defined by the geography of the site. Natural landforms are retained and earthworks minimised.

Key Achievements:

Energy reductions – 13% reduction in whole of life carbon footprint including:

  • alternative turf requiring less sand, and less turf area to mow and maintain
  • topsoil reuse onsite
  • reduction in site clearance requirements,
  • and optimised lighting control

Water reductions – 36% reduction in operational water footprint from installation of Blue2Green rainwater capture and reuse system (conservatively -20%), use of valve in head irrigation system for target irrigation of smaller areas (-14%), and reduction in earthworks requirements (-2%).

Non-Potable water use – 100% water for construction and operations that does not require potable water such as dust suppression and sports field irrigation can be supplied through rainwater capture (1.46 ML/year) and consented groundwater bore (15.3ML/year).

Ecology – 29% enhancement in ecological value through restoring agricultural land, prioritising use of native vegetation and strategic planting to create re-connected corridors as well as suitable land for endangered flora species.

Community – extensive stakeholder engagement included a co-design process to collaborate with local iwi and integrate Te Aranga Māori Design Principles and Te Waka Oranga Principles into the design.

Innovations – the project was awarded 5 innovation points for exceeding ecology credit benchmarks, achieving Innovation Challenge 6 (Supply Chain Education), and featuring Blue2Greeen technology.

Rating Highlights:

29% Enhancement in ecological value

The SPSSP project increases the site ecological value by 29% through the following design features:

  • Re-vegetating the existing contaminated / hard infrastructure nursey area,
  • Replace 18,9123 m2 of exotic planting with 22,134 m2 native vegetation,
  • Reducing the area of grassland / non-improved pastures by 7% a total of 4,830 m2

These features have been implemented by developing a Native planting plan eco-sourced from the area, designing different planting zones with complimentary species, supporting population growth of critically endangered plant Epilobium hirtigerum, increasing connectivity and forest spaces, and planning for on-going management of the planting and fauna.

This is a large increase in ecological value and is above and beyond the Level 3 requirement of 20%.  Therefore 1 innovation credit was awarded.

Innovation Challenge – Supply Chain Education

85% of the Project Team undertook Supply Chain Sustainability School eLearning modules. Two key modules (Climate Change Adaptation and Sustainable Construction) were delivered by group learning sessions, and the rest of the training was through self-paced online modules.

NZ First – 3 innovation points | Blue2Green Innovative Technology | 100% Rainwater capture and onsite reuse

Jacobs and Sporteng have designed Field 1 to utilise Blue2Green for stabilisation of the base and irrigation. The specified Blue2Green system provides storage of 1080m3 and will capture rainwater and reuse 100% of its water onsite.

Blue2Green is a system of crates that are made from recycled plastic that stack together. They sit underneath the performance layers of the field and collect rainwater that falls onto the field. The grass root system of the field can then draw the water up to ‘self-irrigate’ through wicking.

This design is innovative and helps solve future water supply problems as the reservoir can hold water for dry seasons and the grass can self-irrigate. This vastly reduces the potable water supply for irrigation at the site.

The cells themselves are also made of 90% recycled plastic and can be recycled at their end of life, meaning the product itself has a low carbon equivalent impact.

The cells also act as a stabilised base which reduces the amount of aggregate required under Feld 1. As Field 1 is the main field with the highest hours of play, it is the highest quality field. This required extra design considerations for the base, which in the Base Case consisted of a 200mm thick aggregate subbase. This has been replaced by Blue2Green in the design.

Blue2Green Schematic from Supplier Brochure

 

Acknowledgments:

New Zealand Firsts

  • NZ first IS Design Rating for a sports park.
  • NZ first use of Blue2Green water management technology design for a sports park.

Stakeholders:

It is acknowledged that this achievement has been the result of multiple stakeholder input including:

  • Leadership by Auckland Council and an aspiration to reach a Leading rating
  • Design led by Jacobs with specialist input from Ngāti Whātua o Kaipara and Te Kawerau ā Maki (iwi co-design partners), HEB (Early Contractor Engagement), SportsEng (Sports field including Blue2Green technology), WPS Opus (stakeholder engagement),, Morphum Environmental (Ecology)

Northconnex achieves ‘Excellent’ IS As Built Rating

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The NorthConnex project is a 9-kilometre multi-lane motorway linking the M1 Pacific Motorway at Wahroonga to the Hills M2 Motorway at West Pennant Hills. NorthConnex delivers significant benefits to local communities by easing congestion and removing around 5000 trucks daily from Pennant Hills Road. This helps to improve safety, local air quality and reduce traffic noise. Motorists can now travel from Newcastle to Melbourne without a single set of traffic lights, reducing travel times for motorists and delivering state and national freight efficiencies.

NorthConnex is committed to sustainable and responsible operations and has delivered a range of sustainable outcomes through the IS Rating tool. Key achievements include establishing a robust management and governance system, delivering creative and meaningful community engagement, establishing high standards of environmental protection, and innovative design within the tunnel’s systems and equipment that make it a next generation tunnel. The range of sustainability initiatives will provide benefits for the community and environment now and for future generations.

PROJECT KEY ACHIEVEMENTS:

Spoil was beneficially reused from the NorthConnex tunnel excavation at the Hornsby Quarry, saving 3.7 million kilometres of transport distance, and in turn significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This beneficial reuse of spoil lays the foundations for the Hornsby Quarry Rejuvenation Project, where an abandoned quarry will be turned into new recreational parkland by Hornsby Shire Council.

Through redesign and changes to the construction footprint, the project has successfully saved more than one hectare of threatened vegetation, including 742 individual Epacris (Epacris purpurascens var. purpurascens) on the Hills M2 Motorway.

NorthConnex has used more than 5,500 LED lights in place of traditional high-pressure sodium (HPS) or fluorescent lighting technology to reduce electricity consumption by 18 per cent. This innovation equates to an overall reduction in carbon emissions of approximately 350 tonnes during the first year of operations alone.

INFRASTRUCTURE CAN LAY THE FOUNDATIONS FOR AUSTRALIA’S NET ZERO EMISSIONS FUTURE

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Infrastructure will play a critical role in supporting Australia’s transition to net zero emissions according to a new paper released today. 

Infrastructure contributes around 70 per cent of Australia’s annual greenhouse gas emissions, according to the Issues Paper: Reshaping Infrastructure for a net zero emissions future. The paper is published in partnership by the Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia (ISCA), ClimateWorks Australia and the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC). 

“Most infrastructure built today will still be operating in 2050,” says Ainsley Simpson, CEO of ISCA. “By this point, all Australian states and territories are aiming to be at net zero emissions.” 

Ms. Simpson says that infrastructure must respond to and support broader economic and social trends, one of which is decarbonisation of Australia’s economy.  

“Infrastructure is facing pressure from both the public and private sector to prepare for net zero emissions,” said Ms Simpson.  

“In addition to state and territory commitments, private investors are increasingly aligning their portfolios with net zero emissions.” 

Mr Michael Li, Senior Project Manager (Cities & Policy), at ClimateWorks Australia, says infrastructure influences 15 per cent of Australia’s emissions directly and 55 per cent indirectly.  

“Direct emissions occur across the life-cycle including in procurement, construction, operations and decommissioning. But the majority of emissions are associated with the end use of assets and the activities they enable,” said Mr Li.  

“For example, providing public transport infrastructure close to population centres can reduce local road transport emissions,” he said.  

Ms Suzanne Toumbourou, Executive Director of ASBEC, says that preparing infrastructure for a net zero emissions future is a shared responsibility between all stakeholders across the infrastructure lifecycle, including infrastructure advisors, investors, construction companies and operators.  

“With billions of dollars in the infrastructure pipeline, and the need to rapidly rebuild infrastructure after this summer’s natural disasters, now is the time for consensus about what role infrastructure can play in achieving a net zero emissions future,” said Ms Toumbourou. 

The Issues Paper will be a focal point for conversations amongst infrastructure stakeholders around reshaping the conception, planning, design, construction and operation of infrastructure for a net zero emissions future. Using the Issues Paper as a starting point, ISCA, ClimateWorks and ASBEC aim to work collaboratively with those responsible for planning, assessing, funding and delivering infrastructure. 

ISCA, ClimateWorks and ASBEC will be actively engaging with infrastructure sector individuals and organisations and inviting them to this important conversation.   

“We invite stakeholders from across the infrastructure sector to collaborate and participate in solutions-focused discussions that are essential to reshaping infrastructure for a net zero emissions future,” says Ms. Simpson. 

Stakeholders who wish to participate in the conversation throughout 2020 and beyond are also invited to reach out directly to ISCA, ClimateWorks and ASBEC for updates. 

The Issues Paper: Reshaping Infrastructure for a net zero emissions future was developed with the support of the Clean Energy Finance Corporation and the Queensland Government. 

ENDS 

MEDIA ENQUIRIES 
For general enquiries and interview opportunities:
Fleur Michell |ISCA| 0407 077 493 | fleur@theconnectagency.com.au 

For technical enquiries about the Reshaping Infrastructure issues paper:
Kulja Coulston |ClimateWorks Australia| 0405 767 256 | kulja.coulston@climateworksaustralia.org 

To register an expression of interest to be involved going forward: 
Paul Davies| ISCA| info@isca.org.au | 02 9252 9733 

MORE ABOUT ISCA
Reshaping Infrastructure for a Net Zero Emissions Future is a partnership between ISCA, ClimateWorks Australia and ASBEC. 

The Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia (ISCA) is a member-based, not-for-profit peak body operating in Australia and New Zealand with the purpose of enabling and rewarding sustainability best practice in infrastructure. It does this through: 

  • Operating an Infrastructure Sustainability (IS) rating scheme for infrastructure assets 
  • Delivering training and capacity-building to enhance sustainability in infrastructure 
  • Connecting infrastructure projects to suppliers of sustainable products and services  
  • Bringing sustainability practitioners and infrastructure professionals together  
  • Recognising and rewarding best practice in sustainability and resilience 

MORE ABOUT CLIMATEWORKS AUSTRALIA 
ClimateWorks Australia develops expert, independent and practical solutions to assist in the transition to net zero emissions for Australia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific. Co-founded by The Myer Foundation and Monash University in 2009, ClimateWorks is a non-profit organisation working within the Monash Sustainable Development Institute. ClimateWorks also benefits from strong relationships with an international network of affiliated organisations that support effective policies, financing and action for emissions reductions. Acting as a bridge between research and action, the  

ClimateWorks collaborative end-to-end approach seeks solutions that will deliver real impact. ClimateWorks supports decision-makers with tailored information and tools, working with key stakeholders to remove obstacles and help facilitate conditions that support the transition to a prosperous, net zero emissions future. 

MORE ABOUT THE AUSTRALIAN SUSTAINABLE BUILT ENVIRONMENT COUNCIL (ASBEC) 
The Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC) is the peak body of key organisations committed to a sustainable built environment in Australia. ASBEC members consist of industry and professional associations, non-government organisations, and government and academic observers who are involved in the planning, design, delivery and operation of Australia’s built environment. ASBEC provides a collaborative forum for organisations which champion a vision of sustainable, productive and resilient buildings, communities and cities in Australia.