The Australian Constructors Association (ACA) has released a crucial report emphasising the pivotal role of decarbonising the construction industry in realising Australia’s net zero ambition.
Jon Davies, CEO of the ACA, highlighted that construction is a ‘hard to abate’ sector and while electrification is the preferred decarbonisation pathway, technology constraints mean this will not be available in the short to medium term.
“We need to rapidly adopt low carbon liquid fuels to bridge the gap until electric options mature and the best transition fuel for the construction industry is renewable diesel,” said Davies. “ACA is calling for direct government policy intervention to rapidly accelerate both the supply and demand for renewable diesel in Australia.”
“Renewable diesel enables necessary emission reductions in the short term without modifications to existing machinery.
“The problem is, there is currently no domestic renewable diesel production in Australia – this reflects a policy vacuum that lags other countries significantly.
“Importing renewable diesel is cost prohibitive relative to mineral diesel, making adoption a competitive disadvantage.”
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ACA’s report underscores the multifaceted benefits of a domestic renewable diesel industry, extending beyond construction decarbonisation to include reduced air pollutants, better air quality, bolstered energy security, local employment opportunities, and economic growth from both feedstock and refining.
In response, the ACA calls upon the Australian Government to lead the development of a low carbon liquid fuel policy. This could materialise in the form of a National Renewable Diesel Roadmap, guiding the establishment of a sustainable domestic renewable diesel industry.
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