If you are in Sydney, we hope you're staying dry. This dreary weather is a real downbeater, but luckily, we've got some embodied carbon news to brighten your day. Catch up on all things MECLA including:
Opportunity to collaborate with the Built Environment Channel to platform low carbon success stories or products
MECLA needs your ongoing support
Since the launch of MECLA Phase 4 on 1 July 2025, the MECLA Alliance has raised over $140,000 in fundings, alongside $40,000 in project funding tied to a specific deliverable.
In order to reach our required funding goal of $350,000, we need your support. To reach this target, we are aiming for 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.
You can access our Phase 4 slide deck on the website below or contact us for more information about membership.
MECLA launches project on Decarbonising Datacentres
With support from the Decarbonising Building Industry Network, MECLA has begun research on the creation of a white paper on decarbonising data centre delivery. Over the coming months, MECLA will be doing research into the sustainability of this fast burgeoning space. Driven in large part by the growth of AI, data centre demand is rapidly increasing. The nexus between energy efficiency, water efficiency, and embodied carbon needs to be adequately evaluated to maximise sustainability.
MECLA will be looking to several partner organisations to develop this resource. Please reach out if you are interested in collaborating on this topic!
Merri-bek City Council recently commissioned the Balam Balam Place building in Brunswick, an opportunity to measure and better understand the embodied carbon impact of the 5 story project. The council wanted to know how much carbon could be saved through a variety of different construction approaches, and conducted lifecycle assessment on the project.
Merri-bek learned that they were able to reduce embodied carbon by approximately 75kgCO2e per square metre against an Australian baseline, whilst also realising that potential embodied carbon reductions of 46% could have been achieved if the structural concrete elements were replaced with mass timber alternatives.
You can view the case study on the MECLA website now. You can also watch Merri-bek present on the project to MECLA here.
Australia stands at a pivotal moment in redefining how we build — and with growing pressure on global timber supplies, the need for alternative, high-performance, and low-carbon materials has never been more urgent. Bamboo isn’t the future — it’s already here. Engineered bamboo is being used to solve carbon, cost, and climate challenges faster than timber or steel. On the 18-20th June, at the Next Frontier Summit— the Bamboo Society of Australia (BSA) held the first national event in Australia dedicated to unlocking the full potential of structural engineered bamboo. Across three cities over three days, global pioneers, local innovators, and the stakeholders formed a view on what’s next for tackling climate action (carbon sequestration), land restoration and decarbonisation of the built environment (upfront embodied carbon) using bamboo.
Australia - despite our capacity to grow, research, design, and manufacture - has not yet realised its potential in this space. The summit addressed the gaps to catalyse real industry momentum by bringing together leaders across sectors to inform and shape a 10-year roadmap.
Speakers include:
Jennifer Snyders, President of the Bamboo Society of Australia and CEO, House of Bamboo
Jeremy Mansfield OAM, Founder / Director, Mansfield Advisory (summit partner)
Neil Savery, Managing Director, ICC-ES (Primary Summit sponsor and an entity certifying structural engineered bamboo products under International Standards)
Isabella van der Griend, Brightworks Sustainability
China-Australia Low-Carbon Building Materials Forum Tuesday, 26 August, 1pm AEST
A high-level delegation of China’s green building leaders is visiting Brisbane. This forum connects Australian builders, developers, and designers directly with the organisations leading China’s $1T+ construction decarbonisation drive.
Directors from the China Building Materials Federation (CBMF) and executives from major companies in low-carbon cement + concrete, façades, solar and PV systems, and low-carbon bathrooms will attend. This is a rare opportunity to explore new suppliers, discover innovative low-carbon products, and build partnerships.
MECLA partners Matrak will be hosting this event on the 26th of August at 1pm. You can join online or in person by registering today via the link!
MECLA members are invited to join RMIT in Melbourne in person or online for a workshop on Autoclaved Aerated Concrete Recycling. This workshop aims to bring together key stakeholders from across the construction industry, including manufacturers, suppliers, builders, researchers, and policymakers, to discuss current practices, challenges, and opportunities for improving the recovery, recycling, and reuse of AAC in Australia.
The event offers a unique platform to exchange ideas, share experiences, and explore potential collaborations that can advance sustainable construction practices and contribute to a circular economy. It is also an opportunity to connect with others in the industry, showcase the work of your organisation, and help shape the future of AAC recycling in Australia.
Australia is facing a biodiversity crisis. Land clearing, ecosystem degradation, unsustainable material use and disconnected planning systems have made the built environment a key contributor to nature loss. At the same time, Australia’s environmental legislation – particularly the Environmental Protection Biodiversity Conservation Act – has been found to be ineffective. It does not protect biodiversity, integrate land use planning or embed the cultural values, knowledge and leadership of First Nations peoples. This roadmap sets a vision for a nature positive built environment by 2050, aligning with global goals for nature. It recognises that our cities, buildings, and infrastructure must do more than minimise harm—they must actively protect and regenerate biodiversity and ecosystems.
You can watch the recording of the presentation on the MECLA website now!
Low Carbon Design feature - September 2025 – Sponsorship Opportunity
After a successful feature in 2023 and 2024, MECLA and Built Environment Channel will partner again in 2025 for their Low Carbon Design Feature.
There are 5 exclusive opportunities for MECLA product manufacturers to partner (1 per week). Incumbent suppliers from 2024 will have first right of refusal.
Built Environment Channel (BEC) is renowned for delivering stunning architectural content, inspiration and important industry news to its national audience of over 8,500+ architects and builders.
With the support of MECLA, BEC content for the month of September will
focus on promoting the versatility and benefits of low carbon design to its specifier audience.
MECLA content will include…
Low carbon design Case Studies
MECLA news and updates
MECLA Publications
MECLA research insights
MECLA events
Your opportunity to be involved as an exclusive product supplier partner and lead the conversation about the importance of low carbon design…
If you are interested in your brand being part of BEC’s Low Carbon design feature, contact MECLA and we will connect you to Sam Matheson, CEO, BEC for more details.
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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