Working with states and territories to decarbonise infrastructure and transport

Transport is the second largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Australia, amounting to 23 per cent of Australia's national greenhouse gas emissions in 2025. Without further action, transport will be the largest source of emissions in Australia by 2030. Transport infrastructure is estimated to account for a further 2 per cent of Australia's total emissions.

The decarbonisation of infrastructure and transport is a key priority for the Infrastructure and Transport Ministers' Meeting (ITMM). To progress this work, ITMM established the Infrastructure Decarbonisation Working Group and Decarbonisation of Transport Working Group, consisting of representatives from the Commonwealth and every state and territory, to progress the decarbonisation of infrastructure and transport respectively.

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Nationally consistent value for carbon

On 6 December 2023, ITMM approved a nationally consistent set of carbon values for use in transport infrastructure project decision making.

The values will apply to submissions received by Infrastructure Australia for evaluation from Australian, state or territory governments.

The carbon values are published as a Guidance Note outlining the emissions values for use in submissions to Infrastructure Australia, including parameter values for sensitivity testing, and how they should be applied. Infrastructure Australia also provided a Modelling Report with detailed information on the method used to estimate the emissions values and the data sources used.

Further information on the carbon values can be found at Infrastructure Australia's Valuing emissions for economic analysis page.

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Policy on the application of carbon values on transport projects

On 7 June 2024, ITMM provided in-principle support for the use of the nationally consistent set of carbon values in the assessment of business cases for transport infrastructure projects over $100 million, with an aspirational commencement date of 1 January 2025.

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Embodied Carbon Measurement for Infrastructure: Technical Guidance

On 7 June 2024, ITMM also agreed to a nationally consistent approach for valuing embodied carbon for use in transport infrastructure projects, called the Embodied Carbon Measurement for Infrastructure: Technical Guidance.

The Embodied Carbon Measurement for Infrastructure: Technical Guidance (National Measurement Guide) provides a consistent approach for measuring embodied carbon in infrastructure projects nationally by infrastructure delivery agencies, their advisors, delivery partners, and emissions tool vendors. This Guide supports consistency across all Australian jurisdictions by providing common methodologies, assumptions and approaches to data use and reporting.

Measurement of embodied carbon is crucial for its effective management. Embodied carbon emissions are set to form a major and increasing part of infrastructure related emissions, as the electricity grid transitions to decarbonised sources and operational emissions decline.

The absence of a consistent approach to measurement of embodied carbon is a key barrier to reducing embodied emissions. This Guide addresses that key barrier by setting out a consistent scope of carbon to measure and approach to measuring across infrastructure asset types. Use of a consistent measurement approach will enhance the consistency and accuracy of carbon valuation in business case options, as well as enable consistent carbon measurement within the context of setting any commercial and technical requirements. In turn, a nationally consistent measurement approach supports industry action to reduce emissions, and can facilitate benchmarking and target setting for transport infrastructure projects.

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National Embodied Carbon Databook

To further support consistent measurement of embodied carbon for infrastructure across jurisdictions, ITMM agreed to publish the National Embodied Carbon Databook (NECD) and accompanying Guidance Note on 29 May 2026. The NECD provides carbon intensity benchmarks, emission factors, and calculation assumptions to support embodied carbon measurement for infrastructure and buildings, with a focus on transport infrastructure.

The NECD is supported by a Guidance Note explaining the content of the Databook, how to select the right data for projects, and aligned measurement tools that can be used to measure and report carbon. This will support jurisdictions to meet mandatory Commonwealth funding and reporting requirements and provide a fairer evaluation of infrastructure projects across jurisdictions.

The data can be used by others in government and industry working across the built environment, as many of the construction materials and products are common across sectors.
Document

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National Sustainable Procurement in Infrastructure Guideline

In May 2025, ITMM approved the National Sustainable Procurement in Infrastructure Guideline for use by agencies responsible for delivering transport infrastructure projects.

The National Sustainable Procurement in Infrastructure Guideline (the Guideline) is designed to support jurisdictions to reduce embodied emissions during procurement through development and delivery of infrastructure projects. The Guideline is targeted at transport agencies, infrastructure bodies, and other public officials responsible for delivering infrastructure and contracting with industry.

The Guideline is intended as a starting point to support a nationally consistent approach to using procurement to decarbonise infrastructure, providing efficiencies for governments and industry. Together with the Summary Tool, this Guideline provides a suite of best practice procurement and contracting approaches, outlining various considerations and opportunities to maximise carbon abatement at key project stages.

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Shared principles for national transport decarbonisation

On 6 December 2023, ITMM endorsed shared principles for national transport decarbonisation.

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Zero Emission Bus Procurement Pipeline

On 17 September 2025, ITMM agreed to publish the Zero Emission Bus Procurement Pipeline. This supports the Australian bus manufacturing industry by making zero emissions bus (ZEB) procurement more visible. It aims to increase coordination, cooperation and transparency across ZEB projects.

The pipeline shows present and future ZEB procurement. The Australian bus industry and Australian states and territories can use it to view a snapshot of projects in one place.

The interactive charts below included data up to September 2025. The data is subject to change and will be updated at regular intervals, in line with release of further procurement information by state and territory governments.

The interactive charts:

  • present condensed information that display some procurement data in a simple graphic format
  • let you browse data by total buses, existing ZEBs, future ZEBs, year of transition to a full ZEB fleet, and bus type
  • let you customise your results by selecting different filters
  • show more detail when you hover your mouse over columns.

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Power BI dashboard

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