Green Infrastructure Investment Opportunities AUSTRALIA 2019

The 2019 Green Infrastructure Investment Opportunities report for Australia highlights a significant pipeline of projects in renewable energy, low carbon transport, sustainable water, waste management, and green buildings. While Australia has seen a boom in solar and wind investment and a growing green bond market, the report notes a continued reliance on high-carbon infrastructure and a lack of integrated national emissions reduction priorities. It argues for a greater role for the superannuation sector and the adoption of 'brown-to-green' transition strategies for carbon-intensive industries to meet Paris Agreement targets.

• Australia's infrastructure priorities have not yet effectively integrated sustained emissions reduction or climate adaptation and resilience measures, despite the 2016 Australian Infrastructure Plan stating these should not be 'fringe concepts'.
• Infrastructure-related emissions constitute over 50% of Australia's total greenhouse gas emissions, with the electricity sector contributing 35% and the transport sector 18%.
• The Australian green bond market has grown rapidly, with cumulative issuance from Australian entities reaching AUD 15.6 billion by the first half of 2019, ranking the country 11th globally and 3rd in the Asia-Pacific region.
• Investment in large-scale renewable energy projects, primarily wind and solar, doubled from AUD 10 billion in 2017 to AUD 20 billion in 2018.
• The transport sector's emissions are projected to be over 80% higher by 2030 than they were in 1990 unless significant changes are made to the energy and transport systems.
• Australia's major cities are forecast to require 73% more water supply than current levels by 2050, driven by climate change and rapid urbanisation.
• The waste sector in Australia is characterized by a lack of mature markets for private investment in recycling and waste disposal, with overall waste generation increasing as the population grows.
• Green Star-rated buildings in Australia produce 62% fewer greenhouse gas emissions and use 51% less potable water than buildings constructed to minimum industry requirements.
• The report advocates for a 'brown-to-green' (BtG) transition strategy for GHG-intensive industries, such as cement, mining, and oil and gas, to align with a 2-degree emissions trajectory.
• Australia's superannuation sector is identified as a critical but under-harnessed source of long-term funding for large-scale domestic green infrastructure.

APA

Climate Bonds Initiative (2019). Green Infrastructure Investment Opportunities AUSTRALIA 2019. https://www.climatebonds.net/files/documents/publications/Green-Infrastructure-Investment-Opportunities-Australia-2019.pdf

Chicago

Climate Bonds Initiative. Green Infrastructure Investment Opportunities AUSTRALIA 2019. 2019. https://www.climatebonds.net/files/documents/publications/Green-Infrastructure-Investment-Opportunities-Australia-2019.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Climate Bonds Initiative |title=Green Infrastructure Investment Opportunities AUSTRALIA 2019 |date=August 2019 |url=https://www.climatebonds.net/files/documents/publications/Green-Infrastructure-Investment-Opportunities-Australia-2019.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{climatebondsinitiative2019green, author = {{Climate Bonds Initiative}}, title = {{Green Infrastructure Investment Opportunities AUSTRALIA 2019}}, institution = {Climate Bonds Initiative}, year = {2019}, month = aug, url = {https://www.climatebonds.net/files/documents/publications/Green-Infrastructure-Investment-Opportunities-Australia-2019.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }