BlueScope and Holcim, have joined forces with the NSW Government and WWF-Australia in a new coalition to reduce carbon emissions in Australia’s building and construction industry.

Launched on the 22^nd of April 2021, The Materials & Embodied Carbon Leaders’ Alliance (MECLA) aims to drive reductions in embodied (upfront) carbon across the building supply chain. 

The formation of this alliance will allow the 41 organisations involved to work collaboratively to create demand for products like greener steel, concrete, cement and aluminium, alternative products like mass timber, and reused and reformed waste materials that can be used to reduce carbon emissions in Australia’s construction industry and then, exported to the world.

CEO of WWF-Australia, Dermot O’Gorman, said that "the economies of the world are transitioning towards a low-carbon future and Australia cannot afford to be left behind."

“MECLA brings together key industry partners and governments to achieve outcomes that will help pave the way to reaching our Net Zero carbon goals. The enthusiasm right across the supply chain has been overwhelming and we believe this initiative can help Australia seize a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to become a renewable export powerhouse.”  Mr O'Gorman added.

With an understanding of the complex nature of the construction ecosystem, MECLA includes working groups that cover both demand-side and supply-side of the industry, all working to align industry within the principles of the Circular Economy. 

The WWF has stated that the Working Groups will develop tangible and actionable measures for the industry to act on, which will include:

• Demonstrating the demand and activating the supply of construction materials that meet the needs of net-zero carbon goals.
• Defining a best practice embodied carbon evaluation framework to increase transparency and accountability.
• Knowledge sharing through best practice education, case studies, myth-busting, demonstrations, and supporting innovation in materials and processes as part of a pre-competitive approach.
• Developing a common language for design specifications, procurement guidelines and tendering criteria as standard practice for government agencies and companies.
• Helping to manage the industry’s climate transition risks, risks associated with adopting innovative materials and the development of the required skills.
• Supporting materials such as steel, cement and concrete, and aluminium to reduce their carbon intensity.

ASA's members, BlueScope and Holcim, are assisting Australia in maintaining its position as a desirable, responsible trading partner in the global market whilst also incorporating principles of the circular economy into the wider community through the actions of this coalition. The future looks bright!

If you would like to read more about MECLA, click here.