The Australasian Railway Association (ARA) recently attended a consultation workshop hosted by the Emissions Reduction Assurance Committee, who are consulting on the recently sunsetted Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCU) Land and Sea Transport Method.

The previous method had relatively low uptake over the 10 years it was active, and the workshop discussion focused on how a new, restructured method could improve its use, while maintaining the expected high standard for emissions reduction.

Workshop attendees agreed on the abatement potential which could be realised through greater mode shift, and the need for the revised method to incentivise mode shift correctly. Benefits discussed including the reduced impact on road infrastructure, reduced congestion, improved air quality, and the safety benefits of moving more freight on rail.

Fleet changes and fuel substitution were also acknowledged as crucial elements with high abatement potential, which should be considered with the method revisions.

The ARA has advocated for a revised method which better enables rail-specific ACCUs, including enabling credits for mode shift, and recognising investment in new low and zero emissions technologies to replace or refurbish existing diesel-powered rollingstock.

ARA members who would like to provide feedback on the ACCU methodology updates can submit their views via the online portal.

Please reach out to ARA Policy Manager Lauren Ascah.