Circular Economy

Infrastructure is critical to social well-being and provides an interface between people and the natural environment. As one of the largest resource consumers, the opportunity to realise progress at scale towards net zero emissions, natural capital ambitions and a transition to a circular economy is clear. The scale of materials use leaves the industry highly vulnerable to supply disruption meaning new approaches need to be carefully researched, conceptualised, and tested. This research theme will support efforts by industry and government to transition the infrastructure industry to thrive in a decarbonised and circular economy as well as provide insight on the role infrastructure plays in supporting the economy more broadly to transition.

Featured projects

Advanced Timber Hub

This project aims to transform Australia’s timber and construction sectors by stimulating rapid growth in timber innovation and uptake of use of timber in buildings. It plans to enable this transformation by addressing the diverse elements required to motivate investment, stimulate innovation, satisfy stakeholder demands, define long-term social-environmental-economic benefits and establish a roadmap for change. 

UQ supported industry-led innovations

Reimagining the Business Case for Circular Infrastructure

With the imminent threat of climate change, a growing population and a financing gap of $15 trillion, the world will require a new way of thinking, and public investment in infrastructure will be a driver.

Read more at the Infrastructure CoLab

Our Projects