The Australian government has announced a new national climate target for 2035, alongside sector transition plans designed to reduce emissions across the economy.
The plans aim to align industries with Australia’s pathway to net zero, with specific measures targeting transport, energy, construction and other high-emission sectors.
The cement, concrete and aggregates industry, as a major contributor to national infrastructure, has highlighted the central role procurement frameworks and data-driven policies will play in achieving the target.
“Our sector builds the foundations of the nation’s housing, transport, energy and social infrastructure,” said Michael Kilgariff, Chief Executive Officer of Cement Concrete & Aggregates Australia (CCAA).
“Achieving this target will require a carefully managed transition that cuts emissions while keeping materials reliable, affordable and available.”
“The government’s approach reflects many of the areas our industry has been calling for – clearer carbon data, performance-based procurement, more consistent standards, and the infrastructure to support zero-emissions transport fleets.”
Key aspects of the sector transition plans include embedding low-carbon requirements in procurement policies, incentivising materials with lower embodied carbon, and supporting innovation that accelerates industry adoption of new technologies.
The initiatives also emphasise collaboration between government, industry and communities to ensure access to low-emissions energy and transport while modernising standards across construction and infrastructure projects.
By setting its 2035 target, the federal government has sought to provide clearer direction to industries on the need to balance decarbonisation with economic growth.
Sector plans highlight that demand-side measures, particularly through public and private infrastructure projects, will be one of the most powerful drivers of the transition.
