Constructors welcome Federal Budget support for low carbon liquid fuel industry

BUDGET REACTION -- the Australian Constructors Association (ACA) has welcomed the Australian Government’s plans, announced in the Federal Budget, to support a low-carbon liquid fuel industry with a focus on renewable diesel to support emissions reduction in the construction industry.

ACA CEO Jon Davies said the construction industry was a “hard to abate” sector and while electrification was the preferred decarbonisation pathway, technology constraints meant this would not be available in the short to medium term.

“(The budget) announcement will help ensure low carbon liquid fuels bridge the gap until electric options mature and renewable diesel is the best way to achieve this in the construction industry,” Mr Davies said. 

“Renewable diesel enables necessary emission reductions in the short term without modifications to existing machinery.

“A domestic renewable diesel industry will have a range of additional benefits beyond construction decarbonisation, including lower air pollutants and better air quality, energy security, local employment and economic growth from both feedstock and refining.”

Mr Davies said the Australian Constructors Association had been advocating for this support and looked forward to working collaboratively with the Australian Government “to progress the establishment of a renewable diesel in Australia”.

For more information, view the Australian Constructors Association’s position paper on Renewable diesel.

The Australian Constructors Association is the representative body for contractors delivering vertical and horizontal construction projects, as well as undertaking infrastructure asset management. ACA members construct and service the majority of major infrastructure projects built in Australia every year.

“Our goal is to create a more sustainable construction industry,” Mr Davies said.

www.constructors.com.au

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