Sustainability
Brickworks is committed to an additional 15% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, from baseline FY22, across combined Australian and North American operations.
Achievement Snapshot FY24
56 %
Reduction in carbon emissions since 2006 in Australia.
$ 400 m+
Invested since 2006 in equipment upgrades, operational improvements, and carbon reduction strategies in Australia.
221,000 +
Tonnes lower annual carbon emissions compared to 2006 in Australia.
11 %
Use of biofuels in energy mix in FY24 in Australia.
161,000
Square meters of land progressively rehabilitated in FY24 in Australia and North America.
70,000 +
Tonnes of carbon avoided since 2013, at our Longford Operation, through the use of renewable fuels in Australia.
We’re moving forward
The destination is clear – a greener, cleaner and more sustainable future. It’s a journey that’s not going to happen overnight but it’s one that we’re already moving towards, in a number of positive ways.
Brickworks is committed to an additional 15% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, from baseline FY22, across combined Australian and North American operations.
We have already made significant progress reducing our emissions by 56% since 2006 in Australia.
We’re putting our efforts behind three key sustainability pillars:
- Sustainable Manufacturing
- Sustainable Product Certifications
- Sustainable Built Environments
Recognition
Environmental Product Declarations
A number of our locally made Brickworks products have been recognised by various external product labels and initiatives, including Environmental Product Declaration (EPD). EPDs are based on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) which include a product's embodied carbon footprint and communicate independently verified data about the environmental performance of products and services.
Gympie, QLD
Concrete Masonry | GB Masonry
Concrete Masonry Blocks: GB Aspect, GB Smooth, GB Honed, Vertico Split Face, Rock Face, Veneer Sawn Face, Veneer Split Face.
Golden Grove, SA
Clay Bricks and Pavers | Austral Bricks
Bricks: Everyday Life, Symmetry, Urban One, Archetype, Archetype Warm, Festival, Fringe, Lumia, Russell Collection
Pavers: Piccolo Pavers, Earth 50, Laneway, Heritage Pavers, Earth 65
Longford, TAS
Clay Bricks | Austral Bricks, Daniel Robertson
Bricks: Civic Series, Access, Domain, Indulgence, Industrial, Melbourne, Metallix, Remastered, Civic Red, Overland, Traditional, Hawthorn
Pavers: Traditional 76, Hawthorn 76, Overland, Traditional 50, Hawthorn 50
Punchbowl, NSW
Clay Bricks | Austral Bricks
Bricks: Burlesque, Specialty, Vogue, Solstice, Metallix, Symmetry
Rochedale, QLD
Concrete Masonry | GB Masonry
Concrete Masonry Blocks: GB Smooth, GB Honed, Vertico Split Face, Rock Face, Veneer Sawn Face
Wollert, VIC
Clay Bricks | Austral Bricks and Nubrik
Bricks: Artisan, Australis, Laneway, Traditional, Access, Domain, Indulgence, Industrial, Melbourne, Metallix, Remastered, Commons Universal 76, Purpose Made Commons 76, Purpose Made Commons 119
Plant 1 Horsley Park, NSW
Clay Bricks | Austral Bricks
Bricks: Everyday Life, Metallix Gunmetal Blue, Neutrals, Urban One, Whitsunday, Exposure 76, Standard 76, Universal 76, Universal Exposure 76, Park Lane
Pavers: Sculptured Sands, Governor, Standard 119, Standard 162
Jandakot, WA
Grey Concrete Blocks and FBR Blocks | Austral Masonry
Blocks: Grey Blocks and FBR Blocks
Jandakot, WA
Wet Cast Pavers | UrbanStone
Pavers: Reef, Coogee Sawcut, Rottnest Milled & Shot Blast, Cottesloe Milled & Shot Blast
Rockhampton, QLD
Dark Retaining Wall Blocks | Austral Masonry
Retaining Wall Blocks: Daydream, Whitsunday, Fitzroy
Rockhampton, QLD
Light Retaining Wall Blocks | Austral Masonry
Retaining Wall Blocks: Daydream, Whitsunday, Fitzroy
1. Sustainable Manufacturing
Moving forward with sustainability at work
Some of the most important steps towards a more sustainable future start right here, with how we operate our own business. Building on our achievement of our certified carbon neutral brick operation, we're continuing to find new ways to evolve and adapt our manufacturing practices.
286,000 +
Tonnes lower annual carbon emissions compared to 2006 in Australia.
56 %
Reduction in carbon emissions since 2006 in Australia.
Fast Facts
Reducing
Carbon Emissions
In Australia, Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions have followed a general downward trend, with a 56% decrease compared to the base year FY2006. This decrease is supported by an investment of over $400 million, and is attributable to:
- Efficiencies gained from alternative fuels
- Manufacturing consolidation
- Equipment upgrades
- Operational improvements
This is underpinned by our stretch target for a 10% increase in gas efficiency at Austral Brick plants by 2030.
Avoiding
Carbon Emissions
Plant 2 received significant upgrades over the last couple of years. This facility now has the capacity to manufacture 130 million bricks per year, is the most advanced brick plant in the world, delivering best in its class fuel efficiency, and setting a new standard for brick manufacturing.
This has resulted in a 57% improvement in greenhouse gas intensity compared to the FY2018 performance of this plant.
Increasing
Recycled Materials
In FY24 approximately 21% of recycled content was used in replace of raw materials in Australia, which means:
- Lowered amount of mined materials required.
Using
Localised Materials
Using local materials means less carbon miles associated with transporting long distances. We have a strong focus on local manufacturing.
Rehabilitating
Land
During FY24, Brickworks progressively rehabilitated 19,800 m2 of land in Australia. 141,276 m2 of land was progressively rehabilitated in North America.
Increasing
Biofuels
In FY24, alternative biofuels made up 11% of Brickworks Australian energy mix. Biofuel sources include landfill gas and sawdust. Brickworks has been progressing against our existing carbon transition target, to invest into developing feasible renewable biomethane opportunities and investment in the transition to the hydrogen fuel economy.
Achieving Product
Certifications
Brickworks is proud to have achieved a carbon neutral certification through Climate Active for our operation in Longford Tasmania. Brickworks' Climate Active carbon neutral range is also available for all Austral products on an Opt in basis.
Certified Carbon Neutral
Operations
We are proud to have celebrated over 10 years of our Longford operation being certified carbon neutral.
- Over 70,000 tonnes of carbon emissions avoided over 10 years through the use of renewable fuels.
- Over 50,000 tonnes of carbon emissions offset over 10 years.
Reducing Scope 3
Emissions
We are cutting Scope 3 emissions through low-carbon concrete trials and exploring supplementary materials for premium products. Partnerships and Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) help refine our emissions profile and drive sustainability in concrete production. Transport accounts for 29% of our Scope 3 emissions, including raw material deliveries and product distribution. We are optimizing logistics, streamlining transportation, and using AI-powered route planning to cut emissions and improve Transport Efficiency.
Investing in
Research
We are investing in ongoing research to reduce the embodied carbon of our products, and partnering with leaders on bioenergy and Murdoch University to explore the use of hydrogen and bioenergy as a kiln fuel. By 2030, Brickworks and our partners will invest over $22.6 million into research and development into our innovation focus areas including: the thermal mass benefit of products, light-weighting, raw materials optimisation to reduce embodied carbon and increase recycled content, sustainable design elements and product innovation.
Our Emissions Reduction Strategy
2. Sustainable Product Certifications
We're moving forward with product certifications that support sustainable design
We’re embracing the sustainable side of the products we create in more ways than ever. Investing and innovating to reduce the carbon emissions involved with producing them – and increasing the amount of biofuels in our products as well.
100 yrs
Colourfast and durability warranty on our bricks in Australia.
Fast Facts
Bricks are
Recyclable
The durability of bricks means they are inherently sustainable resource - they can be recycled into products such as road base and into the manufacture of new brick.
Embodied
Energy
Upfront embodied energy is only one part of the equation. Building with a durable, resilient and low maintenance material such as brick reduces the need for expensive upkeep. Other materials like lightweight cladding require ongoing upkeep and will contribute to additional carbon emissions with maintenance and replacement.
Designed to
Last
Bricks are inherently sustainable because they are designed to last. Unlike other materials:
- Bricks are low maintenance
- Bricks are fireproof
- Bricks are recyclable
- Bricks come with a colourfast and durability warranty of up to 100 years.
Healthy
Classification
Our UrbanStone Australian granite, Bowral Brick, Nubrik and Austral Bricks Rochedale, Longford for Austral Bricks and Daniel Robertson Products have a Declare label, classifying them as red list free products. This means they:
- Do not contain any ingredients on the Living Building Challenge's Red List and has disclosed all intentionally added ingredients.
Lowering Energy
Cost
Bricks reduce heating and cooling demands. Bricks provide thermal comfort. Bricks have higher thermal mass, meaning they have an ability to effectively absorb and store heat energy keeping your home cooler in summer and warmer in winter. This is something lightweight materials cannot do.
Using Solar
Power
10-20% of total energy used in the manufacturing of masonry products at our Oakdale East Masonry and Rockhampton site is solar energy. Brickworks has added 1.2 MW of rooftop solar across multiple sites, generating 934 MWh annually. Upcoming installations include 3 MW in Western Sydney plant set to cover 19% of its electricity needs, equivalent to powering 442 Sydney households annually.
3. Sustainable Built Environment
We're offering products that are high performing and highly sustainable to support the built environment
A building's energy efficiency extends far beyond the processes that first bring it to life. It's in how it performs in the long-term too. The bricks, masonry, stone, roofing and building systems we offer provide that high-performing and highly sustainable foundation.
A building is long term
Any net zero carbon strategy requires focus on both:
a. Embodied carbon
Embodied carbon maintaining a building over its lifetime significantly adds to the total embodied energy requirement of building materials.
b. Operational carbon
Which contributes a significant proportion of a building's whole-of-life carbon footprint.
Fast Facts
Carbon Reduction
Target
We are pleased to announce we have developed a new carbon target:
- To achieve a 15% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, from baseline FY22, across combined Australian and North American operations.
- This is complemented by continued investment into developing feasible renewable biomethane opportunities and our sustainable product innovation strategies.
Embodied Carbon
Reduction
We are driving projects to even further reduce the embodied energy content of our products, including:
- Continued reduction in carbon emissions through the upgrading of our plants and equipment.
- Continued use of biofuels in our Australian energy mix which is 11% in FY24.
Energy
Efficiency
The thermal performance of brick is superior to lightweight construction materials, and can lead to reduced operational carbon emissions over a building’s lifetime.
The energy efficiency of buildings is measured on more than just manufacturing processes, it’s how it performs as a lived-in home. Building with bricks:
- Can reduce energy consumption, and therefore, reduce operational carbon emissions.
Outperforming Other
Materials
Results from over 8 years of independent research proves that, compared to lightweight cladding:
- Brick homes are more energy efficient.
- The thermal mass of bricks save lifetime operational carbon emissions.
This research is based on 'A Study of the Thermal Performance of Australian Housing, University of Newcastle, 2011-2017, and is currently being updated to changes contained in the National Construction Code 2022 residential energy efficiency provisions including an increase in the thermal performance of homes to the equivalent of a 7 star energy rating.
Managing Carbon
Emissions
A building is long term – if you only focus on reducing upfront carbon, you aren't truly addressing sustainability. Any net zero carbon strategy requires focus on both:
- Embodied carbon maintaining a building over its lifetime significally adds to the total embodied energy requirement of building materials. This means that when considering embodied carbon, you must look at the entire sum over the lifetime of a building.
- Operational carbon which contributes to a significant proportion of a building’s carbon footprint.
Towards 2030 Sustainability Strategy
Responsible Business
Leading building design safe, resilient, sustainable
- Provide leading research on passive solar thermal design, enabling reduced lifetime energy use
- Support design tools, guidance and information to incorporate life cycle thinking into building design
- Increase the volume of verified sustainable products to 25%.
- Year on year increase in R&D investment into the next generation of clay brick and concrete block wall systems.
- Reduce supply chain risk
- Business Ethics and Whistleblower programs
Our People & Community
Strong culture and care for our community
- Continued reductions in injury rates
- 100 Community activities each year
- Supporting charities like the Children's Cancer Institute
- Stretch target: 35% female senior executives
- Develop and implement a Diversity and Inclusion Strategy
Environment
Sustainable manufacturing
- 15% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, from a 2022 baseline, across our combined Australian and North American operations
- Continued investment into developing feasible renewable biomethane opportunities and investment in the transition to the hydrogen fuel economy
- Reduced potable water use in water stressed areas
- Drive progressive rehabilitation
- Over $2 million investment in air quality emission abatement
- Stretch target 10% increase in gas efficiency at Austral Bricks plants by 2030 (Baseline FY18)
Performance
Our Journey
This Sustainability Report is Brickworks Limited’s (Brickworks) third stand-alone Sustainability Report and is intended to complement the Annual Report, providing expanded disclosure on non-financial performance, impacts and opportunities. It is informed by the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards, a leading independent environmental, social and governance reporting standard.
We are incrementally adopting the TCFD Recommendations, such as undertaking climate scenario analysis, identifying risks and responses.
Through this process, long term carbon management strategies are being explored.
Sustainable Products
Designed with Care
We are what we create — what we build. So we strive to refine, improve and design better ways of manufacturing brick and all our building products for sustainable building. Products that stand the test of time and daily living.
Daniel Robertson Bricks
Austral Bricks (Tasmania) are proud to have certified Carbon Neutral bricks. That means we have significantly reduced our carbon footprint and offset the remaining emissions.
HydraForm Permeable Pavers by UrbanStone
The HydraForm permeable paver system provides a premium all-in-one hardstand and drainage solution. The HydraForm system allows rain water to infiltrate through small channels on each of the four sides of the pavers, and flow to the prepared sub-base. The water is then detained, filter treated and dispersed, discharged or directed for re-use.
Volt Solar Roof Tiles
With Volt, solar tiles are now affordable and accessible for homeowners who want clean and affordable energy to power their homes. At the same time, Volt meets the aspirations of homeowners who want to invest in a quality and sustainable rooftop solar system that is safe and built to last in the harsh climate conditions that we face.
Bowral Bricks
Locally manufactured in Bowral, NSW, our Bowral Bricks product range have a Declare label, classifying them as a healthy building product.
Nubrik Bricks
Locally manufactured in Victoria, our Nubrik product range have a Declare label, classifying them as a healthy building product.
Austral Bricks Rochedale Bricks and Pavers
Bricks and Pavers produced out of Austral Bricks Rochedale are now labelled under Declare as Living Building Challenge Red List Free.
Australian Granite Pavers
UrbanStone Australian granites are sourced from quarries in Western Australia and South Australia and can be processed in Australia or offshore depending on project requirements. Granites are known for their long-life and UrbanStone Australian Granite products are recyclable and reusable in entirety. A range of formats and finishes are available for use, please refer to our website for further information and technical specifications.
Resources
Guides, Brochures and Reports
Looking for more information on Brickworks and Sustainability? Find out everything you need to know in our comprehensive library of guides, reports and brochures.
Brickworks is moving forward
The destination is clear – a greener, cleaner and more sustainable future. See the positive steps we're taking to create a more sustainable future.
Sustainable Home Guide
Building a sustainable home has never been more important. This interactive guide will take you through strategies for building a beautiful, enduring, and sustainable home that is energy efficient, healthy, and resilient.
Brickworks Climate Active Opt In Program
This detailed brochure outlines what the Climate Active Carbon Neutral initiative is all about. Read about our journey so far, and the journey of other architects on the same plight to make a positive impact on our environment.
Low Emission Technology Statement
We are committed to reducing carbon emissions, through continued investment in manufacturing excellence. This includes our global kiln refurbishment program to drive energy efficiency beyond international benchmarks and driving biofuels and low carbon opportunities. Learn more about our approach to a low carbon future.
Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD)
We are incrementally adopting the TCFD Recommendations, such as undertaking climate scenario analysis, identifying risks and responses. Through this process, long term carbon management strategies are being explored.
Roof Tiles for Living
Whether you’re building your own, looking after a large family, or setting up for the first time, home is where life happens. So a strong roof to protect it is essential. The good news is, you should only ever need to do it once.
Sustainable Projects
Sustainable, Resilient and Efficient Design
The built environment has substantial environmental and social impacts. Sustainable building design offers greater energy and resource efficiency over the operational lifetime of a building.
AHV Reservoir
Responding to the ongoing need for affordable and considered social housing, Brickworks and esteemed architectural firm, Breathe, have collaborated with Aboriginal Housing Victoria (AHV), to bring to life a new direction in quality, multi-residential projects.
Hyde Park House
This carbon neutral brick home was built to respond sensitively to its heritage environment. The use of Daniel Robertson bricks established material continuity from the internal eco-conscious materials to the exterior spaces.
Stoney Rise Wine Cellar
Set on the idyllic shores of Gravelly Beach, Stoney Rise Wine's new cellar door, conceptualised by Cumulus Studio is a sculptural build, modern in form yet natural in materiality. An angular structure, with sloping diagonal features, the project plays with light, casting shadow over the grassy hills surrounding the Cellar Door.
Arkadia Apartments
Located in the inner-city suburb of Alexandria, Arkadia is a multi-residential building which is built from half a million recycled bricks. The complex, which was designed by DKO and BREATHE Architecture, is revolutionary in its challenge of typical city living, creating a community that combines lush green spaces and a number of sustainable initiatives.
Merri Creek
With its double-height towers, arched windows and sweeping decolletage staircase, it may be a shock to hear that perhaps the most impressive part of this home is not its striking facade, but is incredible sustainable credentials.
83 Pirie Street
Global architecture firm, Woods Bagot takes on Adelaide's CBD with a 20-storey multipurpose office block and a new standard of sustainability for the city.
Policies and Data
Every Impact Counts
Brickworks Climate Active Opt In Program
Go Carbon Neutral
Do you want to make a positive impact on the environment? If the answer is yes, we welcome you to the Brickworks Climate Active Opt In Program.
Understanding the impact we have on our planet is a responsibility we all share. Reducing emissions and mitigating operational effects is now imperative for any business. The good news is, we're on the same journey as you - achieving sustainability targets and building a better future for both business and the planet.
Achieving Carbon Neutrality - What is Climate Active Certification?
Climate Active is a unique, Government-backed program that enables, businesses, governments, and consumers to reduce their carbon emissions. We’ve been working with Climate Active to examine our sourcing, manufacturing and delivery of everything from raw materials to end products.
About the Program
Our Climate Active Opt In Program lets you make any Australian-made clay brick or paver carbon neutral at order. We model full lifecycle emissions with our carbon calculator, then operate under the Climate Active framework to offset the remainder with independent oversight.
Greening Australia Partnership
We are pleased to announce our partnership with Greening Australia. Our new partnership with Greening Australia will support Australian bushland restoration projects, through its not-for-profit carbon credits business, Canopy. Canopy focuses on the selection of nature-based carbon offsets, which allow people and nature to thrive.
Apply Now
Ready to get started? Click on the Apply Now button below to complete the application form for complimentary carbon offsets against your sustainable project. Once your application has been received and approved, a member of the Brickworks team will be in touch.
Verifying Our Sustainable Products - Third Party Verifications
Our Bowral Brick, Nubrik, UrbanStone Australian Granite and Austral Bricks Rochedale Products have a Declare label, classifying them as a healthy building product. This means they have zero toxic Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC's), which can have negative human health impacts including headaches, lethargy, and respiratory problems like asthma.
Brickworks is proud to have achieved not just one– but two – important Climate Active Product Certifications. The first certification was achieved in 2013, for Austral Bricks Longford in Tasmania. All of our bricks manufactured here are made sustainably using low emissions biofuel. The second is a new opt-in program to specify and procure any clay brick or paver made in our Australian facilities as a carbon neutral product.
GB Masonry is proud to be the first concrete masonry manufacturer in Australia to publish an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for our coloured masonry range made in Gympie, Queensland. EPDs are based on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) which include a product's embodied carbon footprint and communicate independently verified data about the environmental performance of products and services.