Transport Will Likely Not Reach Net Zero Targets: CCA

The Climate Change Authority (CCA) has published the Sector Pathways Review which has found Australia’s transport sector will likely not reach net zero by 2050 targets.

The Authority is an independent statutory body established under the Climate Change Authority Act 2011 to provide expert advice to the Australian Government on climate change policy.

The review considers the pathways for six sectors – agriculture and land; built environment; electricity and energy; industry and waste; transport and resources – to decarbonise. It identifies barriers and proposes strategies and actions to address them.

Suggested actions for the Australian Government include working with local, state and territory governments, businesses and communities to build on existing climate change policies, reform development approval processes and address mounting workforce shortages.

HVIA made verbal representations as well as a formal submission to the CCA regarding the transport sector review. HVIA’s case was clearly listened to by the CCA and was quoted at multiple points in the finished document.

“Revising weight limitations to allow LZEHV’s on Australian roads is a key part of the transition. At present, there is a lack of consistency in approaches from the states and territories which acts as a barrier to the transition. Consistency in approach and in weight allowances is needed to encourage heavy vehicles operators to transition to LZEHV’s,” HVIA’s submission argued.

HVIA also noted that: “Electric vehicle charging stations/hydrogen refuelling stations often inly cater to passenger vehicles and are not practically located to support existing high-volume freight routes.”

Encouragingly, CCA has listened to HVIA’s advocacy that renewable fuels need to be part of the mix of technologies (alongside battery electric and hydrogen) to decarbonise transport. These were previously excluded.

HVIA was pleased to also see acknowledgment of asset replacement and fuel efficiency as part of the solution mix.

CCA acknowledges that the transition is expensive for the heavy vehicle industry, and points to a serious data gap on Australia’s transport activities, and on the unknown costs for operators considering low and net zero-emission heavy vehicles.

Members can read the Sector Pathways Review here, and the Transport Sector is covered here.