Our Sustainability Policy (1 page PDF 118 KB) contains a commitment to creating lasting benefits through an integrated consideration of social, environmental and economic aspects in all that we do.
It is based on the principles that:
- Decision-making integrates economic, social and environmental aspects and seeks positive outcomes in each; and
- The management, operation and development of the road transport system is undertaken in a way that meets the needs of today without compromising the needs of future generations
We are continually embedding this policy into everything we do in order to create a culture of sustainability, seek economic, social and environmental benefits and build and operate a sustainable road transport system in partnership with others.
Details of progress and achievements as part of our Sustainability Strategy can be found within our Annual Report.
For further information contact the Project Officer Sustainability, Louis Bettini on 138 138 or email louis.bettini@mainroads.wa.gov.au.
We aim to manage and operate the road network in a way that allows us to adapt to climate changes and contributes towards finding solutions. In general this relates to the mitigation and adaption to Climate Change as part of our business.
In a first for an Australian road agency, we have adopted a Carbon Reduction Target. The Target will form the focus for our Carbon Reduction Plan (2 page PDF 323 KB) that will seek to achieve a reduction of 5% of 2010 carbon emissions by 2020 whilst striving to achieve a best target reduction of 15%. Our carbon emissions in 2009-10 were more than 29,000 tonnes.
We are also looking to manage the emissions generated on our projects. In collaboration with interstate and overseas road authorities Main Roads has helped develop a common whole-of-life methodology for assessing the greenhouse footprint of road projects.
The Greenhouse Gas Assessment Workbook for Road Projects (88 page PDF 760 KB), Supporting Document (66 page PDF 1.6 MB) and Carbon Gauge Greenhouse Gas Calculator Tool (Excel 2 MB) will assist in estimating emissions for use in project approvals and/or Environmental Impact Statements. They will also provide a more consistent platform for benchmarking for all road agencies.
In parallel to the Carbon Reduction Plan, we are developing a Climate Change Adaption Plan. This plan will assist us in proactively adapting the road asset to protect it against the risks of climate change and to look for opportunities to offer benefits for the community of Western Australia through those actions.
We have already developed standards as a guide to help road projects consider some of the impacts of climate change which can be found in the Standards Section of this site.
Top
State Government and private fleet operators are joining together as part of a federally funded research program conducted by the University of Western Australia, to prepare WA for the move to electric vehicle transport. The research trial is the first of its kind in Australia and will be carried out over a 2 year time period (extendable to 3 years).
We are proud to be one of 11 participants in the Electric Vehicle Trial in Western Australia. Being a keen advocate of alternative transport methods such as cycling, walking and greater use of public transport, the trial fits in well with our broad notion of promoting more sustainable travel. Information about the trial is available on the WA Electric Vehicle Trial (www.waevtrial.com.au).
For further information regarding Main Roads involvement in the trial, contact the Project Officer Sustainability, Louis Bettini on 138 138 or email louis.bettini@mainroads.wa.gov.au.
Top
As part of the Sustainability Strategies push to form partnerships with industry and to develop frameworks for sustainability that can be used for on our projects, we now have become a member of the Australian Green Infrastructure Council (AGIC) (www.agic.net.au).
AGIC is a not-for-profit national industry association formed to establish a rating scheme to enhance sustainability in Australian Infrastructure. The Rating Scheme will be a project tool that will allow infrastructure projects to be rated for Sustainability. It will operate similarly to the star rating used for building projects. It is anticipated that the measures will form a nationally recognised rating scheme.
Although still under development it will assess infrastructure for sustainability across five broad themes and will involve a total of 16 categories. We hopes to be involved in upcoming trials of the rating tool.
Other benefits we see in adopting the AGIC rating tool and framework will be:
-
The ability to use industry experts to identify key sustainability criteria and ensure consistency in approach;
-
Provision of benchmarking against infrastructure of a similar nature for sustainability performance; and
-
The facility to allow infrastructure owners to determine levels of quality for sustainability through the rating process and easier process for tender assessment and in contract management.
Top
We have recently become one of the first WA State Government agencies to sign up and support the CitySwitch Green Office Program (www.cityswitch.net.au).
This is a national energy management program which aims to work with organisations to improve their office energy efficiency, thereby reducing carbon emissions. CitySwitch Signatories commit to setting a direction to achieve and maintain an accredited 4 stars or higher NABERS (www.nabers.com.au) energy rating, which will be our focus for the Don Aitken Centre.
The scheme, which originated in New South Wales, currently has 63 signatories with the aim of having 700 Signatories by 2012.
Top
Actions and Initiatives for Sustainability
The following are case study examples of how Main Roads projects have looked to support sustainability with its projects.
- Greenhouse Gas Emissions - Access Alliance Carbon Response Plan.
- Energy Efficiency - The Metropolitan ISA has introduced energy efficient practices to reduce its fuel consumption from its plant.
- Ecosystem Services - The Mandurah Entrance Road team built a culture that promoted the environment as a priority and an intrinsic part of business that supported environmental sustainability.
- Recycling - The Great Eastern Highway Roe Highway Interchange found a new home for its demolition material.
- Corporate Social Responsibility
- The Team Savannah Alliance demonstrated corporate social responsibility through its achievements in its community involvement activities.
Top