Sustainability Report 2005-2006
Department of the Environment and Water Resources, 2007
Australian Antarctic Division Environmental Performance
Environmental management
EM4: Due diligence processes
Goals 2005-06
- None set
Performance 2005-06 and trends
A major change to AAD’s activities is the development of an Inter- and Intra-Continental Air Transport System. AAD has aimed to implement a transport system that will result in the lowest possible impact on the Antarctic environment. AAD is developing an air service that minimises the requirement to refuel the aircraft in Antarctica to curtail the environmental impact associated with the transportation, storage and refuelling operations in the continent.
An environmental impact assessment under the Australian Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 has been completed and an initial environmental evaluation gazetted.
A draft Environmental Management Plan (EMP) is in place for the 2006-07 operating season, covering both the runway construction activities and the scheduled demonstration flights. This draft EMP will be reviewed to cover the operational protocols and guidelines to minimise the environmental impacts of the system, including incident response, wildlife distance guidelines, monitoring, and management plans. This will be developed during 2007 for implementation from 2007-08.
Commentary
AAD is currently seeking solutions to its future shipping needs, particularly with the development of the inter- and intra-continental air transport system.
A Request for Proposal (RFP) has been issued for the shipping contract to commence at the 2007-08 season. The RFP lists one of the assessment criteria as compliance with the relevant Australian and international environmental standards and proponents have been referred to the AAD Environmental Policy.
Goals 2006-07
- Modify operational procedures for the Air Transport System as required to take into account experience gained from the 2006-07 season
- Ensure the shipping contract is consistent with AAD’s Environmental Policy.
Related Indicators
Contents
- Sustainability Report 05-06
- Executive summary
- Vision and strategy
- Our organisation
- Governance
- Policy and influence
- Environmental performance
- Social performance
- Economic performance
- Report assurance statement
- Case studies
- GRI index
Key
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