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The ACT Government has announced a phased approach to increasing the use of low-carbon concrete in its projects starting next year.
The ACT Government recently released its low-carbon concrete policy to help reduce carbon emissions in construction projects. From the start of next year, designers, engineers, and builders will be required to provide low-carbon concrete usage options within government projects, including detailed specifications where required.
According to the ACT Government, the policy was adopted in consultation with the industry to align with the commitments from the cement and concrete industries in Australia to help reach net-zero emissions.
“In a climate crisis, it’s going to take all sort of actions big and small to make sure we decarbonise our economy and set our planet on a pathway to sustainability,” ACT Emissions Reduction Minister Shane Rattenbury said.
“Across the globe, concrete is estimated to produce eight per cent of all emissions. Using low carbon concrete is a simple and effective way we can reduce these emissions while supporting local industry.
“Many people may not have heard of it, but low carbon concrete is created when producers replace the cement in concrete with a lower emissions material like fly-ash so that we can cut emissions and reduce our reliance on materials which have a detrimental impact on the health of our planet.”
The Low Carbon Concrete Policy was recommended by the Scope 3 Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the ACT Investigation Report. The policy, announced in September, builds on the recently announced 10-year ACT Sustainable Building Pathway, which focuses on sustainable practices in the building and construction sectors in the ACT.
Rattenbury said there were already several projects highlighting the use of low carbon concrete in Canberra and interstate.
“Already in Canberra, we have started using low carbon concrete in significant projects like the new Canberra Hospital expansion and in preparation for Light Rail Stage 2A. This is a fantastic example of how seamlessly low carbon concrete can be integrated into our everyday building projects,” he said.
“555 Collins Street in Melbourne, a large commercial building project led by Lend Lease, achieved a 30% reduction in scope three emissions by using low carbon concrete. This also had no impact to the cost of the project making it a no brainer for many construction firms and for government.”
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