Infrastructure Net Zero – A Solid Foundation: A common definition for net zero infrastructure and how to get there
Achieving net zero in infrastructure requires a shared understanding of what net zero means and the infrastructure sector’s role in managing and reducing carbon emissions.
Various standards, such as The Greenhouse Gas Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard (GHG Protocol Corporate Standard) and PAS 2080:2023 Carbon Management in Buildings and Infrastructure (PAS 2080), provide essential guidance. However, confusion often arises due to a lack of clarity on how these standards apply in practice.
Australia already has made inroads on the components of a common definition. Our first consultation paper1 revealed that most of infrastructure is using a common framework. It also revealed broad-based agreement on the need for a common definition.
This paper:
- outlines the need for the infrastructure sector to
- transition to net zero.
- presents key definitions to understand in the
- context of net zero and infrastructure.
- provides a common definition for net zero.
- summarises best practice carbon measurement
- and management standards.
- provides guidance on when to adopt relevant best
- practice carbon measurement and management
- standards.
- discusses the benefits of adopting consistent
- standards and approaches to carbon
- measurement and reporting.