Austroads releases decarbonisation decision-making tool for transport agencies

Wednesday, 20 November 2024

Austroads has released the Decarbonisation Decision-Making Guidance and Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA) Tool, designed to assist transport agencies in prioritising effective emission reduction strategies. The guidance, developed with extensive consultation from Austroads members, aims to provide a structured, evidence-based approach for evaluating and ranking interventions to meet carbon reduction targets.

Joanne Vanselow, Austroads’ Environment and Sustainability Program Manager, managed delivery of the project.

“Decision-making frameworks, like multi-criteria analysis, offer transport agencies a powerful tool to strategically prioritise emission reduction efforts. By tailoring these frameworks to meet the specific needs of each agency, they ensure resources are allocated to the most impactful and cost-effective interventions,” Joanne said.

The guidance supports various decision-making exercises, from statewide decarbonisation strategies to specific project assessments, including fleet decarbonisation options. It outlines methods for evaluating both quantitative and qualitative criteria, enabling a flexible and consistent approach to ranking interventions. The MCA tool complements established processes like Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) but focuses on integrating decarbonisation objectives into transport agency workflows.

Key advantages of MCA include transparency, efficiency, flexibility, and consistency. However, the guidance also addresses challenges such as assessment bias and limitations in comparing diverse interventions, providing strategies to mitigate these risks.

While primarily aimed at state transport agencies, local governments can also adopt elements of the guidance to support their road network emission reduction efforts. The User Guide aligns with best practices, such as the Infrastructure Australia Guide to Multi-Criteria Analysis, ensuring compatibility with national standards.

By embedding decarbonisation considerations into broader decision-making frameworks, Austroads’ guidance helps agencies take critical steps toward achieving sustainability goals while addressing the unique challenges of their operational environments.

Download the tool and user guide.