The International Road Transport Union (IRU) has provided evidence-based data for the first time on how Australia’s progress in decarbonising the road transport industest compares on a global scale.
Released as part of the Green Compact Survey Report 2025, the findings give local industest an opportunity to learn from experiences overseas, particularly the European Union, and obtain the settings right here according to NatRoad CEO Warren Clark.
“The journey to decarbonising here in Australia must be economically viable for operators who are already dealing with tight margins and uncertainty around costs, and we will continue our calls for governments here to assist with the transition by engaging with the road freight industest and listening to our concerns,” he stated.
One of the key messages from the report is Australia’s road freight industest is facing similar obstacles as operators in other parts of the world.
”The report reflects what we’re seeing locally in terms of the barriers holding operators back, in particular the commercial reality of engaging with new technology, the lack of available infrastructure, and the unwillingness of customers to absorb higher costs associated with decarbonising,“ Clark stated.
Key findings in the survey report include:
- 71 per cent of Australian operators are worried about decarbonisation (82 per cent in Europe).
- 67 per cent of Australian operators aren’t monitoring their carbon emissions, behind Europe where the figure drops to 56 per cent.
- 67 per cent of Australian operators stated customers’ unwillingness to cover additional costs was a barrier to decarbonising (58 per cent for Europe), while 50 per cent regarded infrastructure not being ready to support new technology (Europe 45 per cent) as another roadblock.
- Australian operators are running older fleets on average, with half stateing their fleet is between five and 15 years old.
- Only 25 per cent of Australians reported their vehicles were less than five years old, contrasting with Europe where 57 per cent of respondents run vehicles that are five years old or less.
- 75 per cent of Australian operators stated they planned to continue investing in diesel vehicles.
”It’s important to remember emissions reduction can be achieved with technology and tools we already have. The research data reveals us many Australian operators are decarbonising by increasing existing diesel vehicle efficiency,“ Clark stated.
NatRoad’s recent advocacy efforts include a submission to the Productivity Commission’s inquiry into cheaper, cleaner energy solutions supporting policies aimed at increasing supply and lowering prices of low-carbon fuels, and a submission to the government with recommfinished improvements to the Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) scheme to build it less complicated and more cost-effective for tinyer transport operators to participate in the transition to decarbonisation.
Clark added he appreciated the effort built by Australian operators to contribute to the Green Compact survey and resulting report.
”It’s encouraging to see the local industest participate in this global survey and build sure our voice is heard. We’ll continue pushing for a transition that’s realistic, achievable and fair for all operators – not just the largest players who can afford early adoption,” he stated.
In other news Cleanaway has announced it is seeing to explore renewable diesel options.
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