Low Carbon Design with MECLA

Tell us about MECLA.

MECLA is an industry alliance of more than 150+ research, government and private sector partners collaborating to accelerate decarbonisation in the construction sector. MECLA’s particular focus is embodied carbon, and MECLA helps accelerate change by bringing together players in industry at a systems level, enabling government and industry to step forward in tandem.

MECLA’s work extends across multiple working groups. Can you briefly explain what areas the groups focus on?

MECLA consists of ten working groups, each focussing on particular aspects of key levers of change for the construction industry’s decarbonisation pathway. Working Group 1 focuses on sending a clear demand signal for low embodied carbon materials to boost suppliers’ confidence to invest in decarbonisation innovation. A second working group documents and analyses current approaches to embodied carbon benchmarking. Working Group 3/4 focuses on knowledge sharing, as well as developing a common language. There are also five materials-focussed working groups, dedicated to accelerating the supply side of low carbon solutions for materials, such as steel, cement and concrete, aluminium, and others. A working group on building services has been launched as well, which was joined by a working group on engineered timber earlier in 2023. MECLA has also turned to the residential sector with a residential working group.

Quality information is critical to the BEC audience. Can you please tell us about the open-source documents MECLA produces?

Participants in these working groups are industry and government professionals from along the entire supply chain, all providing crucial in-kind support in progressing MECLA’s/their working group’s objectives.

This includes consultation and engagement with government bodies on policy and roadmap developments, as well as evaluating (technical / funding / standards / capacity) barriers facing industry sectors and possible mechanisms and timeframes for Australian-based companies to overcome these.​ Additionally, the working groups also provide a large range of knowledge products, including case studies, Spotlight events for industry professionals, and specifying documents such as a Dictionary of Carbon. The broad network of MECLA members has produced a vast range of resources, helping industry navigate the emerging markets and opportunities in embodied carbon. All these resources are available for free on our website.

What is the most exciting forefront for decarbonising the built environment in Australia?

Australia is uniquely positioned to be a major player in the production of green products, including steel and aluminium. MECLA hopes to support Australian suppliers in their journey to help Australia become a global superpower in the green transition.

What is next for MECLA?

MECLA is building an action guide. The guide will be a framework that describes steps and actions to reduce embodied carbon in the Australian construction industry. In November, MECLA will coordinate a spotlight on engineered timber, busting myths and discussing how timber can help reduce the embodied carbon cost of building. In December, MECLA will host an event focused on decarbonising capital works in councils, and the power councils have in influencing their catchments’ carbon impact through policy.

Why was it important for MECLA to partner with Built Environment Channel on the low carbon month feature?

MECLA resources are available to industry for free. The more people who see them, the more useful these assets are in the decarbonisation journey. BEC is a fantastic avenue for MECLA to promote its content to a broader audience of industry professionals. MECLA appreciates how the BEC platform helps spread the good word of embodied carbon action.