Moving towards zero-emissions transport in a post-COVID-19 Australian economy

The majority of solutions needed to create sustainable, zero-emissions transport for Australia are already known, available today and ready to be rolled out. That's the central finding of a recently released, comprehensive report.

The ClimateWorks Centre report Moving to zero draws from an extensive survey of more than 300 reports, research papers, news articles and transport policy documents, collated over nine months.

Its 12 recommendations include zero-emissions transport solutions such as shifting private car trips to more efficient modes such as public transport, and replacing private, freight and public transport fleets with renewable-powered electric cars, trucks, buses, trains and trams.

Read more: Post-COVID transport: It's time to talk about road pricing

As the National Cabinet focuses on rebuilding Australia’s economy after the pandemic, there's a clear opportunity for federal and state governments to invest in infrastructure, technologies and services designed to accelerate the take-up of sustainable, zero-emissions transport solutions. Doing so can create jobs while also tackling climate change.

For example, investing in solutions such as public transport infrastructure and services could be a win-win for jobs. Jobs could be created in building and maintaining infrastructure and services. Better public transport could improve affordable access to jobs and education, particularly for those who can’t drive or can’t afford to drive.

A review of US stimulus spending on transport projects in response to the Global Financial Crisis found spending on public transport infrastructure and maintenance created more jobs, more quickly than did spending on roads.

Read more: Will COVID-19 affect Victoria’s $57 billion transport spend?

Investing in public transport could also reboot the Australian vehicle manufacturing sector with the local production of electric buses, and rolling stock for trains and trams.

Vehicle manufacturing still takes place in Australia, with local operations supporting both jobs and the shift to more sustainable transport. In Adelaide, Precision Buses is designing and manufacturing electric buses to use on public transport systems in five Australian states, and supporting worker transitions from the now-closed Holden car factory.

In Victoria, procurement and local content rules support local manufacturing and supply chains for train and tram rolling stock. SEA Electric, based in Victoria with facilities in Dandenong, and support for a factory and training facilities in the Latrobe Valley, is electrifying delivery vans and rubbish trucks.

Investment in zero-emissions transport solutions can also contribute to tackling climate change.

Read more: Building more roads will not solve our transport crisis

All Australian state and territory governments have set goals or aspirations to reach net zero emissions by 2050 or earlier. Yet further work is required to better align state and territory transport, and land use planning strategies, policies, investments and decisions, to achieve zero emissions across all transport within 30 years.

In Australia, the COVID-19 restrictions created a sharp break from long-entrenched, highly-emitting transport habits. Australia’s high reliance on polluting cars and the world’s highest per-capita aviation emissions are two reasons why transport has been one of our largest and fastest-growing sources of emissions. Domestic transport – cars, buses, trucks, airplanes and ships – make up 19% of national emissions.

As the country continues on the road out of COVID-19 isolation, the renewed attention on transport and infrastructure presents an opportunity for Australia to shift gears and accelerate towards zero-emissions transport.

What COVID-19 has shown us is that organisations and individuals are capable of rapidly shifting to working and living from home, attending meetings by video conferencing instead of flying or driving. People can, if necessary, live and shop locally. During the restrictions, more people have used local walking and cycling paths to exercise and seek social connection.

The latest Australian Government quarterly emissions update suggests that as a result of these changes, transport emissions have fallen considerably during April 2020, with petrol sales down 43% and aviation fuel sales down 79% on April 2019 levels.

Around the world, other governments are already responding by supporting funding for active transport infrastructure.

The United Kingdom recently announced £2 billion in funding for cycling and walking as part of the country’s economic recovery plans. The plan includes fast-tracking approvals for walking and cycling paths and infrastructure, and reallocating road space to active travel. In Europe, Paris is creating 650 kilometres of emergency bike lanes, and Milan is reallocating streets for use by pedestrians and cyclists. New Zealand is funding "pop-up" bike lanes and wider footpaths.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the National Cabinet would become a permanent body working on economic recovery and job creation, identifying transport and its infrastructure as one of seven focus areas.

A chance to shift gears

As the country continues on the road out of COVID-19 isolation, the renewed attention on transport and infrastructure presents an opportunity for Australia to shift gears and accelerate towards zero-emissions transport.

Zero-emissions transport is achievable, and the solutions are available today. ClimateWorks' new research shows that Australia just needs to accelerate the rollout. If we do so, Australia can achieve multiple positive outcomes – creating jobs, fostering investment, supporting local manufacturing, and improving access.

This article was co-written with Petra Stock, who formerly worked with the ClimateWorks Centre.