Expertise Sustainability & climate change Decarbonisation

Target: net zero – navigating the transition risks created by climate change

Decarbonising economies to combat the negative impacts of climate change is a complex journey. Many governments around the world have set a net zero target by 2050, with some setting their target to achieve net zero carbon emissions even faster.

To transition, global economies will need to navigate away from how they operate today industrially, to a net zero model. Economies will have to question every aspect of their energy, process, material and mobility decisions across every industry.

For industries without a target, plan or pathway to net zero, there will be increasing opposition, not only on environmental grounds, but also on whether their economic or business model will be viable going forward.

How are governments and industries positioned to chart their course in transitioning to net zero emissions? How are they responding to the impact of changing social values and stakeholder expectations? How will finance and investment decisions respond to this transition?

These questions are explored in our insights below and include five case studies that consider the learnings from the industries that are most exposed to the transition to net zero emissions.

“While the path ahead will not be easy, the acceptance that we need to decarbonise as rapidly as possible is necessary to mitigate the transition risks associated with climate change. The transition and choices available will be different for each organisation.”

Paul Gleeson, Group Director, Sustainability & Managing Director, Energy – Australia & New Zealand

Navigating transition risks:
a pathway to decarbonisation

The successful transformation towards a net zero carbon emissions economy requires a robust strategy, as well as engagement and trust from stakeholders and the community.

Given the size of the challenge, energy, resources and transport industries transitioning to net zero emissions have a significant impact to make. These insights consider five case studies where organisations around the world are reducing greenhouse gas emissions:

Using scenario planning to set a long-term vision

Developing a net zero emissions strategy and transition plan

Identifying meaningful investments to achieve targets and goals

Taking a systems approach

Modelling technology pathways

Click on the icons to learn more from these case studies.

How will your industry transition to a net zero carbon future?

Lessons from the most exposed industries in the transition to net zero emissions

Just 100 companies of the millions across the globe contribute to 71 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions. Heavy carbon emitters can impact climate change, not just its effects.

Decarbonising airports: Taking off to a net zero future

Aurecon explores opportunities for airports to reduce carbon emissions using future energy as they respond to changing social values following COVID-19.

Last call – the system-wide decarbonisation conversation we need to have in rail

Aurecon explores decarbonisation possibilities that energy-efficient future rolling stock provides for reducing carbon emissions in the rail sector.

Decarbonising materials: The pathway to low or zero carbon concrete

Aurecon unpacks what actions the industrial sector must take to decarbonise their operations and products to achieve zero carbon concrete.

Four signs ahead for net zero roads in New Zealand and Australia

As we strive towards net zero carbon infrastructure, Aurecon explores what the future of roads might look like as part of a decarbonised transport network.

Hydrogen’s role in the transition to net zero

As hydrogen fast becomes a fuel of choice for economies looking to decarbonise, Australia and New Zealand could significantly influence global carbon emissions as a producer and exporter of hydrogen or derivatives.

Hydrogen could help enable a transition to net zero for Australia and New Zealand and their existing trading partners of Japan, China and South Korea, economies that do not possess the same abundance of renewable energy resources.

Learn more below about how Aurecon is unlocking the potential of hydrogen technology for our clients.

Hydrogen is one of the enablers for the transition to net zero. It’s a form in which renewable energy can be shipped and consumed around the world.

Aurecon's Paul Gleeson talks hydrogen on ABC Radio

Aurecon's hydrogen technology leader to help clients decarbonise industry

Aurecon's Hydrogen & Chemicals Technology leader Thom Cameron will help clients unlock their future energy potential with integrated hydrogen technology.

Latest insights

Q&A: What are the challenges and opportunities of hydrogen as a future energy technology?

Aurecon’s Future Energy Capability Leader, Ben McGarry answers the hard questions about hydrogen technology for a zero-carbon emissions future in Australia.

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Latest projects

Hydrogen for Transport Report, Australia

Aurecon’s report for the National Hydrogen Strategy Taskforce presents cases for using hydrogen in Australia's transport sector to reduce carbon emissions.

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Our sustainability and climate change expertise

At Aurecon, we work with organisations and governments to protect and enhance their performance by responding to the risks and opportunities presented by sustainability and climate change.

Learn more about how we can help you manage both the transition and physical risks of climate change and harness the opportunities and navigate the risks of the energy transition.