Victoria's second largest polluter is transport. What are we actually going to do about it?

From weekly commutes to freight networks, the transport sector contributed more than a quarter of the state’s carbon emissions in 2023.

Author

Matthew Sims
January 15, 2026

While coal plants and smokestacks are often used to illustrate climate pollution, it's transport in Victoria that's become the second-largest source of carbon emissions over the years.

So, how much of a role can Melbourne’s public transport play in driving down carbon emissions and is enough being done to reach the state’s targets?

📉 Current targets: Overall, the State Government’s carbon emissions target is to reach Net Zero by 2045, which includes steps to reach 45 to 50 percent below the 2005 levels by 2030 – and 75 to 80 percent by 2035.

Condemned to car dependence? Experts call for a climate-resilient public transport network instead of more roads

As extreme heat conditions continue to worsen, how are Melbourne’s rail and tram systems making steps to prevent delays and health impacts?

🚆Rail and buses keeping emissions low: Last November, the State Government released its “Transport sector emissions reduction pledge” for the 2026 to 2030 period. The pledge declared the sector was Victoria’s second-largest source of emissions in 2023, accounting for 26 percent of the state’s pollution output. 

Almost half of those emissions were found to have come from passenger cars – with train and trams making up about four percent.

  • In July 2019, the State Government announced all of the carbon emissions caused by Melbourne’s tram network were offset by the 255,000 megawatt-hours of solar power, sourced from two solar farms in the state’s north, meaning more than 400 trams on Melbourne’s iconic network are carbon neutral.

  • According to the Public Transport Users Association, travelling on an electric tram often involves less than one-quarter the carbon emissions of driving an electric car.

  • All SRL East rail infrastructure, stations and buildings will be powered by 100% renewable energy, while energy regenerated during train braking will be used to power other trains on the network.

📣 What do experts say should be done? Public Transport Association of Australia and New Zealand chief executive Lauren Streifer said there needs to be a “generational shift in how Australians move” to allow Victoria and Australia to reach their emissions targets.

  • “By investing in transport and city design that puts people and communities first, we can cut emissions, create healthier places to live, and build a future where our cities and regions truly thrive,” said Streifer.

Public Transport Association of Australia and New Zealand chief executive Lauren Streifer and University of Melbourne Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning honorary senior fellow Dr John Stone.

⏭️What’s next? University of Melbourne Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning honorary senior fellow Dr John Stone said significant investment into road projects will only make the gap between carbon emissions from Melbourne’s road transport networks and public transport networks more difficult to bridge.

  • 🗣️“Our focus on making driving easier and easier is making our ability to meet our climate targets much harder to reach,” Stone told the Eastern Melburnian.

Image Credit: Liamdavies