Thursday, 10 June 2021
Austroads has announced the establishment of a new Program focussing on the environment and issues of sustainability.
Austroads Chief Executive Geoff Allan said sustainability was identified by the Austroads Board as a key focus area in the Austroads 2020-24 Strategic Plan.
“The Program will play an important role for our member organisations as it works to ensure that environment and sustainability outcomes are at the heart of transport decision-making,” Geoff said.
Program Manager, Vibeke Matthews said a sustainable transport system is essential to mitigate and manage the effects of climate change, create liveable places, reduce waste, support the health and wellbeing of communities, and protect our unique flora and fauna.
“The Environment and Sustainability Task Force, which has representatives from all Australian and New Zealand transport agencies, is a trans-Tasman collaboration providing leadership and best practice guidance, and driving improvements in environment and sustainability in transport,” Vibeke said.
The work of the Program is focused around five key themes:
- Climate change resilience
- Biodiversity
- Human health
- Circular economy outcomes
- Greenhouse gas emissions.
“The Task Force is developing a pipeline of projects. The first project, which will start in the 2021-22 financial year, will examine best practice environment and sustainability reporting and consider changes to the Austroads Guide to Environmental Reporting.”
“The Task Force will also collaborate with other Task Forces currently overseeing related projects. This includes a suite of projects in the Transport Infrastructure Program examining the use of recycled materials in road infrastructure, and projects being managed by the Future Vehicles and Technology Program examining the implications for transport agencies of the introduction of low and zero emission vehicles which have the potential to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of road transport,” Vibeke said.
Join Vibeke and the other Austroads’ Program Managers for an overview of the 2021-22 projects on 22 July. The online session will run from 1-2:15pm AEST. Register now.