The Albanese Government is committed to a cleaner, more inclusive and better connected transport future.
This commitment has been strengthened in the 2023-24 Federal Budget which has funded development of a comprehensive Transport and Infrastructure Net Zero Roadmap and Action Plan to reduce emissions across this sector of the economy.
The Government will invest $8.4 million to fund a strategy that covers all forms of transport, alternative fuels, new technology and the infrastructure to support the transition to net zero. This will include hard to abate sectors, such as heavy vehicles, rail, freight, maritime and aviation. The investment will help Australians secure long lasting benefits from the renewable energy transformation, while managing and minimising the impacts of the transition. The Roadmap will also deliver the most emissions abatement for each dollar spent.
This integrated transport and infrastructure decarbonisation roadmap will be developed in a planned and coordinated way to ensure we can take up opportunities, while carefully managing the transition to new energy sources.
Transport emissions are currently on track to be the largest source of CO2 emissions in Australia by 2030. This work will deliver the policy certainty required to plan for emissions reductions and help ensure Australia achieves our reduction targets.
The Government is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 43 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030 and achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
Achieving our economy-wide targets will require concerted action to drive emissions lower, including across the transport sector. This includes pathways to progress heavy vehicle, rail and maritime decarbonisation in cooperation with industry, states and territories.
The Roadmap and Action Plan will complement the recently announced consultation process to implement a Fuel Efficiency Standard for light vehicles and the introduction of Euro VI noxious emissions standards for new trucks and buses. A copy of the consultation paper may be viewed here: https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/fuel-efficiency-standard-cleaner-cheaper-run-cars-australia-consultation-paper-april2023.pdf
