Recommendation
14. Incorporate sustainability into all stages of the infrastructure decision-making process by amending the Strategic Asset Management Framework, including:
- updating the Strategic Asset Plan Guidelines, requiring state agencies and government trading enterprises to include projects and actions identified in climate change strategies and plans in their strategic asset plans, including the net zero transition plans, sectoral emissions reduction strategies, climate resilience action plan and relevant adaptation plans
- updating the Business Case Guidelines for projects and programs with a capital cost of $100 million or more to require business cases to:
- quantify Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions associated with projects and programs and use this as a key input in determining infrastructure options and design outcomes
- align to emission reduction goals and pathways identified in net zero emissions transition plans and sectoral emissions reduction strategies (once developed)
- demonstrate potential climate change impacts on the assets and adaptation actions to reduce infrastructure vulnerability and increase resilience
- updating the Business Case Guidelines for projects and programs with a capital cost of $100 million or more to require completion and publication of sustainability tool certification, using the most appropriate tool for the type of asset.
WA Government response
The WA Government responded to Foundation for a stronger tomorrow in February 2023. Recommendation 14 is partially supported. For further information please refer to the response document.