Fast-tracking sustainability in the Australian infrastructure sector

In contrast to the traditional linear economy, the circular economy continuously re-uses resources and materials to reduce dependency on sourcing new raw materials – some of which are becoming increasingly scarce. Waste itself becomes a resource in this new model.

As the peak industry body for advancing sustainable delivery of major projects in Australia and New Zealand, ISCA drives sustainability through the development and application of its IS (Infrastructure Sustainability) rating scheme. Since the 2012 launch of the IS scheme, 86 projects across Australia and New Zealand totalling nearly $100 billion have been either certified or registered for an IS rating.

ISCA engaged Ramboll's Environment & Health experts specifically to develop the new Resource Efficiency category for the latest version of the IS rating tool (version 2.0), which launched in July 2018. ISCA and Ramboll believe that the new Resource Efficiency category will further enhance the ability for the IS tool to deliver significant triple-bottom-line benefits, particularly now that version 2.0 allows projects to be supported earlier through the new planning phase rating.

According to Nick Houldsworth, Western Australia Manager who led the project team, “The development of the new Resource Efficiency category has successfully fast-tracked sustainability thinking into the mindset and actions of Australia’s infrastructure delivery supply chain”.

Learn more about this work in the 23 October 2018 article in Sustainability Matters.