Another month.... another newsletter! Catch up on all things MECLA below. For May, MECLA is focused on one major announcement - the launch of MECLA Phase 4. You can find more details below.
If you are interested to hear more about MECLA and how you can join the growing MECLA network, book yourself an appointment with members of our secretariat who can answer all your questions.
MECLA's current government and industry funding is coming to a close. Over the past four years, large strides have been made towards addressing embodied carbon in the built environment in Australia. However, there is still a lot of work left to be done, and we believe that MECLA still has a role to play in driving emissions reductions in the built environment across the country.
For MECLA to continue working we need your support. As of 1 July 2025, MECLA will enter into Phase 4 and target a multiple source funding model to continue the Alliance's systems thinking approach to the embodied carbon challenge across different jurisdictions and sectors in Australia. Alongside government funding, we are asking for a yearly financial contribution from all industry members to continue to benefit from MECLA's working groups, broader network, resources and events.
Phase 4 will also mark a departure from how MECLA has historically operated, and lead to a series of changes in how the network functions. Keep your eyes open for an email from us in the coming weeks! You can access our Phase 4 slide deck on the website below or contact us for more information about membership.
ASBEC presented their recently released report, "Our Upfront Opportunity", which includes an outline of a policy roadmap to reducing upfront embodied carbon in the built environment. NABERS presented on the progress on their embodied carbon rating tool and calculator since their launch in late 2024.
Welcoming new WG5f - Engineered Timber Timothy Devlin!
We'd like to welcome Timothy Devlin, Timber Structures Consultant with Theca, as the new WG5f Engineered Timber Chair! Tim has put his hand up to help drive our WG5f and the decarbonisation of construction through the best regenerative material we know of - wood!
The Next Frontier Summit - Pioneering Structural Engineered Bamboo in Australia – 18 to 29 June 2025
A three-city national summit will mark the first coordinated push to scale bamboo in Australia’s construction, land restoration, and climate strategy — aiming to shift the industry from curiosity to commercialisation.
From 18–20 June, the Bamboo Society of Australia will launch the Next Frontier Summit, bringing together architects, policymakers, farmers, investors and global experts to explore bamboo’s potential as one of the world’s most sustainable building and reforestation materials.
The Summit, held in the Sunshine Coast, Sydney, and Melbourne, will feature 20+ speakers exploring:
Structural innovation with engineered bamboo
Climate-smart design and sustainable architecture
Local growing, policy reform and regional investment
The Role of Wood Products in Decarbonising the Construction Industry
Following the success of last year’s event, DBI invites you for a day of engaging presentations, insightful discussions, and valuable networking opportunities. The theme of this year’s workshop is “The Role of Wood Products in Decarbonising the Construction Industry.”
Gain insights from leading experts, contribute your ideas, and explore opportunities to initiate or support projects that promote timber as a key sustainable building material.
Hear the outcomes of the two projects initiated during last year’s workshop, and take part in selecting the two new projects to be undertaken by the Department of Primary Industries of the Queensland Government as part of their involvement in the DBI network.
This workshop is presented in partnership with the Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia (EWPAA), and will feature speakers from EWPAA, The Queensland Government, The National Centre for Timber Durability and Design Life at The University of the Sunshine Coast, Associated Kiln Driers Pty Ltd (AKD) and the Department of Wood Sciences at The University of British Colombia in Canada.
The NSW Net Zero Commission is currently in the middle of a consultation period until the 11 July 2025. They are welcoming insights on a variety of topics including:
electricity and energy
transport
agriculture and land
industry and waste
resources
built environment
adaptation.
MECLA will be submitting feedback soon. If you want to, follow the below link!
You can find all our MECLA Resources on our MECLA Resources Page or by clicking on the style of resource you are looking for directly below.
If your organisation has a case study please consider sharing it with us. You can submit a case study on the MECLA Website. Each submitted case study will be screened by the MECLA Project Control Group (PCG) before being featured on this website.
You can find out more about MECLA by going to our website, by signing up to our newsletter or following us on LinkedIn to stay updated on future events and developments.
As always, email us with any questions and enquiries at info@mecla.org.au.
MECLA is funded through a mixture of industry and government commitments. We would like to thank all industry organisations, plus the NSW and SA Government that have already made a contribution to support MECLA going national.
MECLA c/o Climate-KIC Australia, University of Technology Sydney, Building 10, Level 10, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
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