At the recent DBI-WSU Workshop on Decarbonising Construction Project Delivery through Digitalisation, industry leaders, government representatives, and researchers convened at Western Sydney University to explore how digital tools and strategies can reshape the construction industry’s approach to sustainability. The speakers—representing organisations like Transport for NSW, CPB Contractors, Mott MacDonald, WSP, and ABAB—shared best practices, innovative tools, and forward-looking insights. Their presentations painted a comprehensive picture of the ways digitalisation can drive decarbonisation, illustrating that the journey towards a carbon-neutral future requires collaboration, innovation, and a rethinking of construction processes.
Dr. Behzad Rismanchi: Building Sustainable Networks for a Carbon-Free Future
Dr. Behzad Rismanchi introduced the Decarbonising Built Environment (DBI) Network, emphasising its mission to connect universities, government, and industry in collaborative projects aimed at sustainable construction. The DBI Network fosters dialogue through monthly workshops across Australia, aiming to stimulate innovation by engaging experts on pressing sustainability issues. Dr Rismanchi outlined the Network’s milestones, including its upcoming international conference, and underscored the importance of cross-sector collaboration to develop consistent, practical solutions to decarbonisation.
Dr Jun Wang: Integrating Carbon Calculation with BIM for Real-Time Tracking
Dr Jun Wang presented a research initiative on integrating carbon management with Building Information Modeling (BIM) through “MetaBIM,” a digital framework that combines lifecycle carbon tracking with project management. Wang highlighted the limitations of current, material-focused carbon tools and demonstrated how MetaBIM’s element-based structure allows carbon tracking to be fully integrated with project schedules and costs. This approach, he explained, facilitates real-time carbon optimisation and decision-making throughout a project’s life
David Kelly: Leveraging Data to Achieve Net-Zero Infrastructure
David Kelly, Director of Engineering Sustainable Infrastructure at Transport for NSW, introduced a “carbon cost library” aimed at standardising carbon tracking across infrastructure projects. This digital library will serve as a “single source of truth” for calculating and comparing carbon across all project phases, aiding in informed decision-making. Kelly emphasised that by embedding carbon management into project planning and procurement, infrastructure projects can meet ambitious decarbonisation targets, ultimately setting a benchmark for the industry.
Brett Buhagiar: Minimising Embodied Carbon with Reclaimed Materials
WSP’s Brett Buhagiar showcased the firm’s Steel Reuse Tool, a digital solution enabling reclaimed steel to be reused in new projects. By capturing data from demolition sites and integrating it with design software, the tool supports sustainable project planning by reducing reliance on newly manufactured steel. Buhagiar explained that, in some cases, this approach has resulted in significant carbon and cost savings, proving that sustainable materials don’t necessarily mean higher costs for construction.
Pete Swanson: Accounting for the “Invisible” Carbon Impact of Technology
Pete Swanson from Mott MacDonald shed light on the “invisible” carbon impact of digital infrastructure, including digital devices and IoT sensors often overlooked in carbon assessments. Swanson highlighted the energy-intensive production processes behind these devices and advocated for lifecycle planning that accounts for end-of-life reuse and recycling. By recognising and addressing the carbon footprint of technology systems, Swanson argued, we can better understand and mitigate digital infrastructure’s environmental impact.
Joseph Caparrotta: Sustainable Construction in Action—A Contractor’s Perspectiver
Joseph Caparrotta, speaking from a contractor’s perspective, underscored the critical role of sustainability initiatives in major infrastructure projects, referencing the Sydney Metro and Western Sydney Airport projects. Caparrotta highlighted that while models and digital tools are integral to decarbonisation, it is ultimately people who drive sustainable change. His talk revolved around the real-world challenges and measures necessary for decarbonising projects, emphasising that collaboration between contractors, clients, and digital systems is vital to achieving ambitious carbon reduction targets.
Andrew Curthoys: The Role of Government in Driving Decarbonisation Consistency
Andrew Curthoys, Chair of the Australasian BIM Advisory Board, addressed the essential role of government in establishing consistent standards and digital frameworks for decarbonisation. Curthoys emphasised that “you can’t count carbon without digital,” making the case for a robust digital infrastructure as the backbone for accurate carbon accounting. Through his experience in policy development, he illustrated how government-led consistency in digital tools and standards can create confidence for industry stakeholders to invest in decarbonisation efforts, ultimately supporting Australia’s net-zero goals.
The DBI-WSU Workshop presentations underscored the transformative potential of digitalisation in achieving decarbonisation in construction. From Dr. Rismanchi’s focus on collaborative networks to innovative tools like MetaBIM and the carbon cost library, each speaker contributed to a multi-faceted understanding of how digital solutions can reshape construction practices. These approaches—ranging from reclaimed materials to transparent carbon tracking—demonstrate that achieving a carbon-neutral future will require not only new technologies but also an industry-wide commitment to sustainable practices.
