An expert with 30 years' experience in climate change, renewable energy and energy efficiency will head up a new national net zero unit.
The unit has been established in the federal Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communication and the Arts and will be led by Ian Porter.
The team will work with industry to improve transport networks and supply chains increasingly battered by extreme weather events.
The department is already working with emissions-intensive industries to change transport use and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 43 per cent by 2030 to achieve net zero by 2050.
"Achieving our government's emissions reduction targets on the path to net zero by 2050 will require concerted action to drive emissions lower across the transport sector," Infrastructure and Transport Minister Catherine King said.
This includes increasing the uptake of electric vehicles, considering fuel efficiency standards, more consumer information, promoting alternative aviation fuels and reducing shipping emissions, she said.
The unit will also work with the prime minister's broader net zero taskforce to make sure regions don't miss out on the push to be a renewable energy superpower.
Mr Porter joins the department from the independent Climateworks organisation where he led a program working on emissions reduction in Australia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific
The former chief of staff to the Victorian Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change served as senior advisor for the bushfire inquiries task force.
He was also CEO of alternative technology association Renew for three years and chair of carbon offset provider Greenfleet for seven.
