The ARA hosted the first of its industry workshops as part the rollingstock decarbonisation critical path project this week, consulting with industry on the key challenges and opportunities to support our decarbonisation efforts.

The workshop brought together about 40 industry representatives for the interactive session led by GHD and will help shape the development of the critical path to inform the industry’s journey to net-zero.

The discussion included a focus on regulatory and policy settings that will be needed to support the transition to low and zero emissions rollingstock, as well as issues such as access to infrastructure and renewable energy, investment and technology readiness.

The range of technology trials underway in Australia and overseas were also explored. Workshop participants noted it was likely different technologies would become commercially available in Australia at different times, and a long-term view of the industry’s decarbonisation roadmap would need to consider how it could maximise technologies that will be available in the short, medium and longer term.

Several opportunities for the rail industry were also identified, including quick wins that can be achieved in the short term.

The critical path project will be released in June and will outline the key regulatory, policy, investment, skills and supply chain issues that can help accelerate the transition to low and zero emissions rollingstock in Australia.

For more information, contact Joeley Pettit, ARA General Manager – Sustainability.