James Oxenham
In the wake of COP28’s landmark agreement and the global push for sustainability, the Australian construction industry is at a pivotal crossroads. The Buildings Breakthrough initiative, launched at COP28 with support from 27 nations, has underscored the urgent need to transform the sector.
The building and construction industry is responsible for almost 21% of global energy-related CO2 emissions, and its impact must not be ignored. While Australia may not be among Building Breakthrough’s initial list of supporting nations, the industry must nevertheless brace itself for a net-zero future.
Timber, being a natural carbon sink, has an important role to play a pivotal role in sequestering carbon dioxide. As the construction sector strives for net-zero emissions, the timber industry’s inherent capacity to absorb and store carbon positions it as a sustainable and low-carbon alternative, contributing significantly to the overarching goal.
Large construction firms are embracing sustainability targets, driving a shift towards eco-friendly construction equipment. Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) are responding to the call for cleaner alternatives, moving away from diesel to embrace battery, hydrogen, and other environmentally conscious power sources.
Battery-powered equipment not only reduces carbon emissions but also helps to reduce noise pollution, creating a more environmentally friendly construction environment all around. Hydrogen, emerging as a viable alternative, produces electricity through a clean chemical reaction, emitting only water vapour as a by-product.
Innovations extend beyond batteries and hydrogen, exploring hybrid systems and advanced biofuels. Hybrid construction equipment, combining traditional engines with electric or alternative power sources, optimises energy efficiency while reducing environmental impact. Lower-emission generators, solar battery generators, and solar-powered light towers are becoming commonplace on construction sites, offering renewable and silent power sources.
As technology advances and economies of scale make cleaner alternatives economically viable, the initial investment in eco-friendly timber equipment becomes a strategic move for long-term operational and environmental benefits.
While sharing economy giants like Airbnb and Uber often steal the circular economy spotlight, the timber industry has long recognised the sustainable value of equipment sharing. Embracing a circular economic model, which focuses on reuse, repurposing, remanufacturing and recycling, can help to reduce over-production, over-consumption, and waste.
Hiring equipment has emerged as a powerful solution within the circular economy framework, offsetting unnecessary emissions. Companies adopting this approach prioritise maintenance, care, and extending equipment lifecycles, contributing significantly to reducing environmental impact. Builders can adopt similar principles, making sure tools are used to their full life span before they’re disposed of responsibly.
For suppliers to align with customer and government demands related to emissions and sustainability, they must take a longer-term view when investing in new products. Over time, increased demand will help to drive technology adoption, replacing older machinery and making eco-friendly options more accessible for the broader building industry.
It’s time for timber industry leaders to spearhead the shift towards net-zero, creating demand for sustainable equipment that, in turn, drives technological advancements. By doing so, the industry can carve the way for a greener and more sustainable future for the entire Australian construction industry.
James Oxenham, CEO at HRIA
James Oxenham is the CEO of the Hire and Rental Industry Association (HRIA) and the Elevating Work Platform Association (EWPA). Having worked across the UK, Europe, and Australia, Mr Oxenham brings over 15 years of extensive industry experience to his role with the hire and rental sector’s peak industry body. With a background in management accounting, he has held pivotal roles at TUI AG Services Group (Spain), The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (UK), BB Retail Capital, and Aldi Stores in Australia.
As the CEO of HRIA, Mr Oxenham drives industry excellence, focusing on training, operational efficiency, and safety standards. Under his stewardship, HRIA has experienced remarkable growth, establishing an EWPA Registered Training Organisation and pioneering digital training methods.
