Transport minister to address maritime emissions reduction at global meeting

THE AUSTRALIAN government is participating in a global transportation meeting to discuss emissions reduction strategies in maritime, freight, rail and heavy vehicle sectors.

Minister for infrastructure, transport, regional development and local government Catherine King travelled to the US on 14 May to attend the 2023 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) transportation ministerial meeting.

Representatives from 21 APEC member economies are attending the event, which will be held in Detroit this week.

Ms King said the government’s commitment to a cleaner and better-connected transport future was strengthened in the 2023-24 federal budget.

She noted the budget committed funding to the development of a comprehensive Transport and Infrastructure Net Zero Roadmap and Action Plan to reduce emissions across the sector.

“The government will invest $8.4 million to fund a strategy that covers all forms of transport, alternative fuels, new technology and the infrastructure to support the transition to net zero,” Ms King said.

“This will include hard to abate sectors, such as heavy vehicles, rail, freight, maritime and aviation.

“This integrated transport and infrastructure decarbonisation roadmap will be developed in a planned and co-ordinated way to ensure we can take up opportunities, while carefully managing the transition to new energy sources.”

Ms King said the government is aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 43% below 2005 levels by 2023, and to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

“Achieving our economy-wide targets will require concerted action to drive emissions lower, including across the transport sector,” she said.

“This includes pathways to progress heavy vehicle, rail and maritime decarbonisation in co-operation with industry, states and territories.

“This investment includes the development of a Maritime Emissions Reduction National Action Plan, to be co-designed with industry to set out a pathway for Australia to become an international leader in green shipping.

“This will secure our future as a global supplier of renewable zero emissions energy and provider of sustainable maritime fuels.”

Ms King said the government also plans to engage with international partners to learn from transport strategies overseas and take part in global efforts.