The report Opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions of infrastructure covered advice for the Victorian Government on the required changes to policies and guidelines to better address the carbon emissions associated with infrastructure. The advice was supported by Opportunities to decarbonise Victorian Government infrastructure which analysed the current state of play, looking to where lessons could be learned from other jurisdictions in Australia and overseas. The impact, feasibility and cost-effectiveness of recommendations were assessed in consultation with government and industry stakeholders. 

The advice identified 3 principles and makes 10 recommendations, each with clear actions. They can guide how the Victorian Government plans, sources, delivers and maintains its infrastructure on the path to net zero. 

The 3 overarching principles to guide decarbonisation efforts in Victoria are: 

• Prioritise non-build or low build solutions. Aim to get better use from existing infrastructure or modify it to meet changing needs before considering a new build. Use construction techniques like offsite or modular construction wherever possible in new builds.
• Align approaches with other governments and industry best practices.
• Clarify the scale and pace of infrastructure emissions reduction to give confidence to industry. 

Our 10 recommendations create the foundation for decarbonising infrastructure. 

1. Adopt a carbon management standard like PAS 2080:2023 Carbon management in buildings and infrastructure to measure and manage carbon emissions and modify as needed to embed in Victoria.
2. Implement the same carbon measurement approach as New South Wales and deliver training across the Victorian Government.
3. Initially adopt a carbon value of at least $123 per tonne and then update to reflect values required to achieve Victorian emissions reduction targets. 
4. Update business case guidelines and templates to integrate emissions reduction. 
5. Measure carbon in infrastructure cost benefit analysis and make decisions that reduce emissions. 
6. Update procurement frameworks and guidance to embed carbon reduction in tenders. 
7. Update standard form contracts to include carbon reporting, abatement requirements and further reduction opportunities.
8. Establish carbon management prequalification requirements for government contracts.
9. Support industry to develop zero or low emissions solutions by testing alternative materials and adopting performance-based standards. 
10. Update assurance processes to include carbon emissions.