Date: 15 July 2025 RMIT launches the ARC Training Centre for Whole Life Design of Carbon Neutral Infrastructure to reduce infrastructure carbon emissions. ARC Chief Executive Officer, Professor Ute Roessner, speaking at the official launch of the ARC Training Centre for Whole Life Design of Carbon Neutral Infrastructure (Dfco2) at RMIT University. Image: Supplied. The ARC was proud to attend the official launch of the ARC Training Centre for Whole Life Design of Carbon Neutral Infrastructure (Dfco2) at RMIT University on 14 July 2025. The launch marks a major milestone in sustainable infrastructure research. With a federal Government investment of $5 million over 5 years, the Training Centre will tackle one of the most pressing challenges of our time: reducing carbon emissions across the entire lifecycle of infrastructure projects, from planning and construction to operation and decommissioning. For example, the Centre will establish a Carbon Neutrality Index to support Australia’s emission reduction targets.The Training Centre will also equip industry-embedded PhD students and postdoctoral researchers with the skills needed to help the transition toward sustainable infrastructure, enabling the sector to eliminate excess carbon emissions at every stage. ARC Chief Executive Officer, Professor Ute Roessner, said this Training Centre reflects not just research excellence, but dedication to transforming the civil infrastructure industry for the benefit of the Australian community. ‘The ARC remains a proud supporter of initiatives like this, where curiosity, excellence and public purpose come together,’ Professor Roessner said. ‘This investment has generated strong national and international collaboration, together with significant intergenerational knowledge and skills transmission among researchers to enhance Australia’s global competitiveness.’ ARC Training Centre for Whole Life Design of Carbon Neutral Infrastructure Centre Director Professor Chun-Qing Li, Vice-Chancellor and President of RMIT Professor Alec Cameron, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research & Innovation at RMIT Professor Calum Drummond, and Australian Research Council CEO Professor Ute Roessner unveiling the plaque at the official launch event. Image: Supplied. The initiative has already sparked strong national and international collaboration, bringing together academia, industry and government to accelerate a smooth transition to a net-zero future for Australia. The Training Centre is well-positioned to train the next generation of leaders in carbon-neutral infrastructure design. It is expected to attract 23 students, 42 researchers, and 9 research fellows – many of whom work directly with industry, and gain hand-on experience. This approach ensures that research outcomes are not only innovative but immediately applicable to real-world settings. Learn more about the Training Centre here.