Towards net zero for transport and infrastructure

Australia's transport emissions

While the transport sector is critical to our economy, it is also the third largest source of Australia's greenhouse gas emissions, with direct emissions amounting to 22% of Australia's total emissions. With Australia's population and economy projected to grow, transport activity is also expected to increase to 2050. The challenge is to reduce emissions while the sector grows.

What is the Australian Government doing?

The Australian Government has an ambitious climate change agenda, committing to reduce national emissions by 43% on 2005 levels by 2030, 62–70% on 2005 levels by 2035 and net zero by 2050. This is in line with the global goal to keep warming to well below 2°C and efforts to keep it to 1.5°C. 

The Net Zero Plan sets out and extends Australia's action on climate change. The Plan helps ensure Australia maximises the benefits of the global transition to net zero and provides long-term policy certainty to drive investment in low emissions and renewable technologies. To support the Plan, the government has developed 6 sector plans covering: electricity and energy; industry; resources; the built environment; agriculture and land; and transport and infrastructure.

Transport and Infrastructure Net Zero Roadmap and Action Plan

The Transport and Infrastructure Net Zero Roadmap and Action Plan is the sector plan for transport and transport infrastructure. It covers all transport modes and considers cross cutting issues including low carbon fuels, freight and supply chains, system wide efficiencies and transport infrastructure. It sets out how the uptake of cleaner cars, active and public transport, and solutions for aviation, maritime, rail and roads will transform the sector. This will deliver emissions reductions, consumer savings and increased fuel security, and support the government's goal of achieving net zero by 2050.

There are 5 priority actions that will ensure the transport sector makes its full contribution to Australia's emissions reduction goals. Achieving a net zero transport and transport infrastructure sector will require sustained effort and action from industry, all levels of government, the private sector and communities across these five actions:

  1. Invest in enabling low and zero emissions transport infrastructure.
  2. Electrify and increase transport's energy performance.
  3. Switch to low carbon alternatives (LCLFs) to power transport where electrification is not feasible.
  4. Innovate to expand cost competitive transport technology options.
  5. Scale up efforts to reduce embodied emissions in transport infrastructure.

The decarbonisation of Australia's transport system will require significant public and private sector investment in emerging low and zero emissions technology and enabling infrastructure. The Australian Government will closely collaborate with industry, community and all levels of government to reach net zero by 2050. The Australian Government will also continue to work closely with international partners to advance action on climate change through the International Maritime Organization and International Civil Aviation Organisation.

Work underway to date

Building on the Australian Government’s Net Zero Plan and commitments, the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts is taking action. Work underway to support transport and transport infrastructure decarbonisation pathways include:

Working with states and territories to decarbonise infrastructure and transport

The Australian Government is working with states and territories to decarbonise transport infrastructure in Australia under the Infrastructure and Transport Ministers’ Meetings.

Learn more