The path to decarbonisation: collaborative change for our cities

As our population grows, the race to address a worsening climate emergency accelerates. Our cities are at the forefront of this challenge, accounting for more than 70% of global carbon emissions. If we are to achieve deep, impactful change, cities must be at the heart of the transformation — and that transformation requires steady collaboration between government, industry and communities.

At Lendlease, we believe lowering emissions starts at conception. At Lendlease, we believe that it’s not just what we build, but how we build it that defines our impact. From all-electric buildings to green rooftops and recycled materials, our precincts are living, breathing testbeds for how we can shape more regenerative, low-carbon cities.

We have ambitious net-zero targets, pledging to reach Absolute Zero by 2040. We are dedicated to reaching these benchmarks, not just for regulatory compliance but to be known as leaders in sustainability.

Electrifying the old and new

The key to decarbonisation is electrification. Approximately 80% of the buildings that will exist in 2050 have already been built. That’s why retrofitting them for all-electric operation is just as important as building smarter from the ground up. By phasing out fossil fuels and integrating electric systems powered by renewable energy, we reduce operational emissions and enhance energy efficiency.

A leading example of this is VicX Tower in North Sydney. It represents the future of commercial buildings by adopting a fully electric operating model. This ensures the base building is powered by 100% renewable energy, eliminating reliance on fossil fuels and reducing associated emissions.

We’re also advancing plans to upgrade existing building infrastructure by assessing technical feasibility and prioritising assets across our portfolio for all-electric retrofits, in alignment with our Mission Zero targets.

Grid stability and resilience is critical to keep pace with electrification. Building a grid that can adapt relies on balancing supply and demand, optimising energy storage through wind and solar and regulating response times to grid disturbances. Through upgrading our existing infrastructure and collaboration with suppliers, we are primed to support the broader energy transition.

One Melbourne Quarter has taken a significant step towards cleaner energy use with the installation of a 200 kW rooftop solar PV system. The system supplies around 17% of the base building’s annual electricity needs, directly contributing to its market-leading 6-Star NABERS Energy rating. By generating renewable energy on-site, the building reduces its carbon footprint, showcasing our unwavering commitment to decarbonising operations through practical, scalable solutions.

But it’s not just about energy. It’s about nature. Tree canopy and vegetation can help mitigate urban heat effect, manage stormwater, promote carbon sequestration and support biodiversity. The vegetation lowers surface temperatures and boosts solar efficiency, a perfect harmony of technology and nature.

Public spaces are fundamental to these changes. At Melbourne Quarter, over 50% of the precinct is dedicated to green and open areas. At its heart is Sky Park — Melbourne’s first elevated park, boasting 75 m of urban greenery in the centre of the city.

Decarbonising construction practices and materials is also critical. We are moving towards our goal of fossil-fuel free construction, prioritising electric construction machinery and equipment and using biofuels such as biodiesel and renewable diesel where electric options are not available. At Melbourne Quarter West residential, we are using renewable diesel to power a stationary concrete pump. As of March this year, using renewable diesel in place of mineral diesel has saved 30 tonnes of CO₂, which is equivalent to 420 Sydney–Melbourne flights.

Decarbonising supply chains is one of the biggest challenges we face. Reducing embodied carbon in common construction materials like steel, cement, glass and aluminium requires the focus and investment of the whole value chain. We continue to specify, procure and trial lower carbon materials and develop tools to measure impact. Our in-house Lendlease Embodied Carbon Advisor (LECA) tool is aimed at helping project teams set and deliver project-specific embodied carbon targets.

Decarbonising our cities is a complex but urgent undertaking. Not only an environmental imperative, but a shared responsibility that demands a system-wide shift, reliant on government policy, industry innovation and community engagement moving in lockstep. At Lendlease, we’re committed to driving this change by embedding sustainability into every stage of development. By electrifying our buildings, investing in greener infrastructure, adopting circular practices and reimagining our public spaces, we’re proving that progress is possible. The solutions exist; what we need now is the collective will to accelerate them.

Image caption: James Wewer, General Manager, Sustainability — Development & Construction, Lendlease. Credit: Marie-Luise Photographer