Now, Australia’s first investor guidance on embodied carbon is helping shift attention to the emissions locked into buildings and infrastructure before the lights are even switched on or operations begin.
Developed by the Materials & Embodied Carbon Leaders’ Alliance (MECLA) in partnership with the Investor Group on Climate Change (IGCC), the guidance is the first Australian resource to translate global net zero frameworks into practical actions for investors financing real estate and infrastructure.
Turning global ambition into practical action
The research team reviewed international frameworks, analysed the Australian investment landscape and worked with industry experts to develop a practical maturity pathway for investors. The guidance helps investors:
- measure embodied carbon using Australian tools and benchmarks;
- set credible targets aligned with net zero pathways; and
- reduce emissions through project design, procurement, material selection and finance.
This guidance bridges the gap between global net zero frameworks and practical implementation for Australian investors.
Why it matters
As Australia’s electricity grid decarbonises, embodied carbon is expected to become one of the largest sources of emissions from the built environment, increasing from around 16% today to as much as 85% by 2050. At the same time, mandatory climate reporting is making these emissions increasingly important for investors to understand and manage.
“This guidance bridges the gap between global net zero frameworks and practical implementation for Australian investors,” the project team said.
By providing a practical, Australian-focused roadmap, the guidance gives investors new tools to reduce climate risk, strengthen long-term asset value and accelerate the transition to lower-carbon buildings and infrastructure.
