This benefit considers the sustainable use of resources and materials and the reduction of environmental harm.

It includes:

  • sustainable sourcing and use of materials, such as aggregate and recycled materials
  • waste minimisation, such as reducing waste sent to landfill and clean-fill, and designing out waste
  • impact on embodied carbon and energy use, such as types of materials, the energy used on the network, and their carbon footprints.

Consideration of the whole-of-life benefits of infrastructure is also included in this benefit. Whole-of-life considerations based on resource efficiency will likely outweigh the initial cost of the investment. An example of this is making a proposal to invest in long-life pavements where the initial cost is greater, but its useful life is longer with less maintenance required.

Transport investments and programmes that contribute to this benefit need to consider the whole-of-life impact of resources, alternative or recycled materials, lower embodied carbon in materials being used, or sourcing of local materials. Three resource efficiency qualitative measures are available for this benefit, focused on broad resource efficiency, embodied carbon and energy.

The key beneficiary of this benefit is the natural environment, which supports New Zealander's way of life with intergenerational benefits.

Measures

9.1.1 Resource efficiency*

9.1.2 Embodied carbon#

9.1.3 Energy*

Measures marked # are quantitative and those marked * are qualitative.

For more information about these measures see Land Transport Benefits Framework measures manual.

Land Transport Benefits Framework measures manual

 

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