The ARA Sustainability Committee met last week to discuss key projects for 2024 and assess new innovations adopted by rail organisations to drive more sustainable outcomes.

The Committee heard an update on the progress of the rollingstock decarbonisation critical path project underway, being delivered in partnership with GHD, to identify the policy, regulatory, investment and skills considerations associated with transitioning to low and zero emissions trains.

A discussion paper on the key challenges and opportunities associated with decarbonising rollingstock has been developed, with member workshops for the project set to take place at the end of the month.

The Committee also confirmed a focus on sustainability reporting, with new sustainability reporting requirements due to come into effect this year. The outcomes of a sustainability reporting workshop held late last year were discussed, with the Committee noting the industry’s desire for further collaboration and information sharing opportunities on this issue.

The ARA will establish a working group to support the industry’s transition to new and emerging sustainability reporting requirements and provide an avenue to share best practice on issues such as data collation to meet Australian and global reporting standards, engagement with suppliers to support reporting, and resourcing new requirements.

The ARA also provided a briefing on its collaboration with peak bodies and government agencies to accelerate decarbonisation efforts through the Infrastructure Net Zero initiative, with projects under each of the initiative’s workstreams commencing this year. The ARA will be closely involved in leading the procurement workstream to support the adoption of sustainability principles in the procurement process.

The meeting concluded with a presentation on three initiatives to be considered for endorsement as state or Australian first innovations under the IS Rating Scheme. This included measures to recycle employee uniforms and adopt a new flood modelling system on the light rail network.

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