]]
Publications
Our environmental, social and economic performance
Department of the Environment and Heritage, 2004
ISBN 0 642 55046 8
EMS - the ISO14001 certification of our Environmental Management System (EMS) was renewed. We also commissioned an external review of our EMS, which recommended a series of best-practice upgrades. The DEH Executive agreed to these changes, many of which are underway. Energy - we purchase 100% accredited greenpower for our office tenant light and power at the John Gorton Building. From 2000-01, we have reduced our tenant light and power consumption by 20%. In 2003-04, usage increased compared to 2002-03, due to shared meters with the new AGO office space that was still going through building commissioning. Waste - we recycled 97 375 kg of paper, 22 225 kg of comingled recyclables, 22 060 kg of organic waste, 171 kg of printer & toner cartridges and 173 kg of fluorescent tubes. DEH, the café and our IT services provider sent 107 569 kg of waste to landfill. Greenhouse - through better management of our energy use, fleet and waste we have reduced our combined gross greenhouse emissions to 530 tonnes of CO2e. Our net emissions (after offsets) were 388 tonnes. If we had not undertaken our EMS initiatives, our business as usual emissions would be 1821 tonnes, or almost five times our current net emissions. Water - we capture and reuse grey water in the John Gorton Building. Flow reduction devices, leak reporting and water efficient appliances all help to reduce our consumption of potable mains water. We do not yet have separate water metering for our tenancy. Materials - by using electronic circulation of press clips and duplex trays for all printers, we have reduced our paper consumption to 15.08 reams per person per year, or around 30 sheets per person per day. This is down from approximately 45 sheets per person per day in 2002. We purchase recycled paper for our internal copying and printing.DEH has an Environmental Management System (EMS) certified to the international standard ISO14001, which covers our Canberra-based office operations. An EMS is a structured tool for measuring and continually improving the performance of an organisation in maintaining its regulatory compliance and managing its environmental risk. ISO14001 certification of an EMS is provided on an annual basis, with recertification subject to an independent audit by NATA Certification Services International Pty Ltd (NCSI). Recertification in 2003-04 confirmed that the quality of our environmental systems and practices has been maintained.
The aspects identified in DEH's operations include: energy; transport; paper and other consumables; solid waste management; purchasing; information technology/communications/records management; water; ozone-depleting substances; office cleaning/pest management; and building design and utilisation.
An EMS on paper does not in itself change corporate behaviours or guarantee positive environmental outcomes. An effective EMS must be integrated with existing business systems and actively engage employees. To achieve these ends our EMS has been embedded in DEH's corporate and strategic plans, and it is supported by two central initiatives that complement and are part of the EMS:
My first task as a new graduate employee was to help upgrade DEH's Environmental Management System (EMS). As a result of that work, DEH is upgrading its EMS to best practice for office-based environments and has developed an updated environmental policy.
I now know that I work for an organisation that 'walks-the-talk' on environmental issues, introducing initiatives such as grey water recycling. I'm proud of the place and often tell friends about what we're doing here.
In 2003, we commissioned an external review of our EMS to assess its effectiveness and identify opportunities for improvement. The review, undertaken by Sustainable Solutions Pty Ltd, was completed in late 2003. Key recommendations were that DEH:
DEH's Executive and staff are committed to act on all of the review recommendations. An ongoing programme of actions for these recommendations has been agreed and is being implemented.
DEH actively encourages all Australian Government departments and agencies to adopt best practice environmental management techniques. Through the Greening of Government Programme, we work to provide them with advice, access to suitable communication networks, and best practice techniques from around the world. An essential element of this work is assisting agencies to develop and introduce environmental management systems. To support this work, DEH has developed a range of publicly accessible tools for improved environmental management systems. These tools can be found at the Greening of Government web site www.deh.gov.au/industry/agency-performance/
EN3 (Energy 1), EN4 (Energy 2), EN17 (Energy 3)DEH has invested considerable effort in reducing use of electricity for tenant light and power at the John Gorton Building. Much of that effort has been concentrated on energy efficient lighting systems. For example, dichroic light fittings have been replaced with more efficient fluorescent down lights and light fittings now feature dimming high frequency ballasts. Such measures have been supplemented by the installation of movement detectors to control lighting in rooms that are used infrequently, and a Clipsal C-Bus energy management and lighting control system. In addition, only Energy Star compliant office equipment that maximises energy efficiency is now purchased.
| Tenant light and power | 2000–01 | 2001–02 | 2002–03 | 2003–04 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total kWh | 1 806 708 | 1 710 786 | 1 389,809 | 1 448 335 |
| TOTAL GJ | 6 504 | 6 159 | 5 003 | 5 214 |
| MJ per person per annum | 5 907 | 5 618 | 5 158 | 5 500 |
| MJ per m2 per annum | 324 | 338 | 292 | 274 |
| % Greenpower | 81% | 86% | 82% | 93% |
(a) DEH has recently collocated into the John Gorton Building. Until September 2002, the Department leased office space
at Nature Conservation House, and until December 2003 also leased space at Tourism House (both are in Canberra).
DEH has also invested in Energy Management Option (EMO), a software solution that delivers significant, auditable reductions in energy use and associated greenhouse gas emissions.
Corridor natural light - John Gorton Building.
The consumption reduction measures implemented over recent years have had a significant impact on our tenant light and power electricity consumption. The combination of user shutdown and the EMO system has proved invaluable, enabling the saving of some 39 400 kWh of electricity in 2003-04. This saving is 2.7% of our total tenant light and power consumption.
From 2000-01, total consumption has fallen 20% (1290 GJ). Annual consumption per person is now 5500MJ and annual consumption per m2 of office space is now 274 MJ. These outcomes for 2003-04 compare favourably with the Australian Government's target of 10 000 MJ per person per annum. Our self assessed MJ per m2 performance rates at an unofficial four stars under the Australian Building Greenhouse Rating Scheme. Table 1 provides detailed consumption information for the period 2000-01 to 2003-04. Our 2003-04 usage, compared with 2002-03, has increased due to the current metering arrangements in the John Gorton Building, which means that the tenant light and power for the AGO's new office space is included in DEH's bills.
EN3 (Energy 1)Gas is used in the John Gorton Building solely for central services such as heating, ventilation and air-conditioning, and hot water in showers, kitchens and tea points. Gas charges are passed on to DEH in the lease, and therefore we do not receive an individual bill. See Table 2 for DEH's share of the total gas usage for the whole building, calculated using the net lettable area for our tenancy in the John Gorton Building.
| Gas usage | 2003-04 |
|---|---|
| Total MJ | 3 215 198 |
| MJ per day | 12 809 |
| MJ per person per day | 13.5 |
DEH now uses 100% greenpower for tenant light and power in the John Gorton Building. Although a more costly option, it provides significant environmental benefits. Indirect energy use associated with the generation of electricity is minimised and no associated greenhouse gases are created and released.
EN3 (Energy 1)DEH's transport strategy encompasses departmental business travel and commuting to and from work. It focuses on more efficient use of our vehicle fleet and reducing the need for business-related air travel. We also encourage the use of public transport and the two most environmentally friendly forms of transport - walking and cycling. Staff are encouraged to adopt more environmentally friendly forms of commuting, a strategy informed by a November 2002 survey of DEH staff to establish baseline data on personal travel.
DEH's vehicle fleet comprises 22 Senior Executive Service (SES) officer vehicles and six pool vehicles, of which three are the fuel efficient and low emissions hybrid Toyota Prius. The Prius acquisitions are part of an ongoing commitment to progressively replace existing vehicles with ones that perform better against the Green Vehicle Guide. Since August 2003, carpooling has been encouraged by allocating permanent car parking spaces for private vehicles used to transport three or more people to work.
DEH will soon provide information packs to all staff eligible for car leasing arrangements. The packs will include information on Green Vehicle Guide ratings, fuel efficient vehicles, benchmarks and relevant government and departmental policies.
Working in conjunction with ACTION buses, links to the timetables and routes of buses operating in the Parliamentary Triangle have been made available on our intranet site. Cycling has been encouraged by increasing the size of the secure bike cage, and ensuring that secure lockers and change room facilities are available for staff commuting by bicycle. In 2003-04, we purchased 40 extra lockers for the increasing number of cyclists in the Department.
DEH provides facilities for staff to use telephone and videoconferencing as alternatives to flying to meetings. We have commenced a project on assessing the greenhouse emissions associated with staff air travel, and opportunities for reducing and offsetting these, which will be completed in 2004-05.
In 2003-04, the Department's vehicle fleet used 54 698 litres of petrol and travelled 499 586 kilometres. 17.86% of the Department's fleet scored 10.5 or higher against the Green Vehicle Guide, averaging 11 litres per 100 km. The Australian Government target aims to increase the proportion of vehicles with scores in the top half of the Green Vehicle Guide to 28% by 2005. Table 3 shows detailed data on our vehicle fleet fuel and energy consumption.
| DEHvehicle fleet | 2000–01 | 2001–02 | 2002–03 | 2003–04 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total fuel consumed (L) | 71 991 | 71 519 | 65 952 | 54 698 |
 Total distance travelled (km) |
746 345 | 759 831 | 622 130 | 499 586 |
| TOTAL GJ | 2 459 | 2 474 | 2 255 | 1 871 |
| Average (L) per 100km |
9.6 | 9.5 | 10.6 | 11 |
| Total CO2 (t) | 180 | 181.5 | 164.9 | 136.7 |
Signage displayed on centralised recycling stations in DEH.
By the end of 2005-06, develop and assess options to:
DEH's 2004-06 Certified Agreement commits us to these goals and, where feasible options are identified, to implement them.
EN11 (Waste 1 & Waste 3)DEH has been consigning waste for recycling since 1996 and in recent years we have been increasing the proportion of our waste materials that are recycled. A waste management system provides for the recycling of paper and cardboard, organics, comingled material, toners and paper towel from toilets. One element of our recycling strategy is to centralise recycling bins in kitchen and tea point areas, rather than providing bins at individual workstations. Effective signage lowers contamination rates.
The signage is well received by DEH staff. It is now used in other Australian Government agencies and higher education institutions for promoting recycling in their organisations.
Used fluorescent tubes are another source of potential environmental contamination. DEH recycles fluorescent tubes from the John Gorton Building, ensuring that pollutants such as mercury are disposed of safely. In 2003-04, over 57% of our printer and toner cartridges were returned directly to Lexmark for remanufacturing. The remainder of these cartridges were recycled through Cartridges for Planet Ark.
DEH has been consigning waste for recycling since 1996. In 2003-04, we generated some 250 tonnes of waste, or 263 kg per employee. Of this total, approximately 142 tonnes (57%) were recycled, the remainder going to landfill. DEH, the café (located in the John Gorton Building), and our information technology services provider sent 107.5 tonnes of waste to landfill.
Figure 2 shows a detailed breakdown by waste type and destination. Weights for materials sent to landfill are based on a formula applied by weight of bins multiplied by number of pick-ups per year.
The waste to landfill amount includes the café in the John Gorton Building, which generates significant volumes of food wastes, and also DEH's outsourced information technology services provider.
EN8 (Greenhouse 1 & Greenhouse 2)
DEH is committed to minimising greenhouse gas emissions generated as a result of its operations. We were the first Australian Government Department to sign up to the Greenhouse Challenge, requiring an annual progress report on reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to the Australian Greenhouse Office (AGO). A profile of DEH's emissions is available at www.greenhouse.gov.au Our strategies for reducing emissions focus on electricity, transport and recycling. We have no direct ability to influence or control building gas usage as this is under the control of the building owner.
All electricity for tenant light and power at the John Gorton Building is now sourced from producers of accredited greenpower, resulting in no emissions from this energy source.
Subscribing our vehicle fleet to Greenfleet ensures greenhouse offsets, with some 142 tonnes of CO2 offset through tree planting in 2003-04. Since joining Greenfleet in 2001, 272 tonnes of CO2 have been sequestered to offset our vehicle emissions. We are considering joining BP's Global Choice programme in 2004-05. This would further increase our greenhouse offsets, with BP guaranteeing to offset greenhouse gas emissions generated by fuel purchased from them. Global Choice is accredited under the AGO's Greenhouse Friendly Programme.
Figure 2: Waste by type and destination in kilograms 2003–04
Figure 3: Total tonnes of CO2 by end use (gross)
In 2003-04, we recycled some 22 tonnes of organic waste, which was processed through a local worm farm. Not only does organic waste recycling reduce pressure on landfill space and associated methane emissions, our organic recycling also supports a local small business.
In 2003-04, DEH generated 530 tonnes of CO2 from the energy used for tenant light and power, gas for central services, the vehicle fleet and waste to landfill (gross).
This is equivalent to 559 kilograms of CO2 per person per year. After our purchase of greenhouse offsets for our vehicle fleet, our net emissions of CO2 are 388 tonnes or 409 kilograms per person per year (see Figure 4).
Figure 4: DEH net greenhouse emissions (business as usual compared to post-EMS)
DEH's purchase of vehicle fleet greenhouse offsets in 2003-04 exceeded gross fleet emissions, producing a negative net emissions figure for our vehicle fleet.
EN5 (Water 1), EN22 (Water 2 & Water 3)Since moving to the John Gorton Building, we have introduced a range of measures to minimise water use from local reservoirs and maximise the use of recycled water.
Installation of a Jemflo Water Management system in the fitout of the John Gorton Building has been the most effective measure adopted to reduce water consumption. Reducing the flow of water through pipes typically reduces water use by between 25% and 35% and, in some cases, by over 50%. For example, water flow to the hot water taps is four litres per minute and six litres per minute to the cold water taps. Normal water flow of 10-15 litres per minute is available only at cleaners' sinks and cisterns.
Considerable water savings have also been achieved through the use of efficient dual flush toilet cisterns. These deliver six litres for full flush and three litres for half flush.
DEH conducted a study of water in Australian Government operations in 2003-04. Reporting in 2004-05, initial results from the study indicate cost effective savings of between 4296Ml per year and 7405Ml per year can be achieved from water efficiency in government. DEH is continuing work on water in government operations in 2004-05.
DEH maintains a business and after hours phone number for the reporting of water leaks and wasteful water practices in our building. These are posted at all water use points.
A grey water treatment system was incorporated into our original fitout design. In 2003 this system was upgraded to treat grey and black water. The system can now treat up to 36 kilolitres of wastewater per day.
Treated water is used for irrigating lawns and gardens, and toilet flushing in the AGO's underground office complex.
We share the John Gorton Building with another Australian Government department and, as yet, we do not have separate tenant metering for water. All water used for this building is included in a consumption total that includes base building, the café and the watering of lawns.
The building owner estimates that DEH used approximately 6605 kilolitres (6.6m3) of water or 28 litres per person per day for our tenancy in 2003-04.
EN1 (Materials 1), EN2 (Materials 2)Two strategies underpin our efforts to reduce the environmental impact of paper usage:
The Department conducted a paper audit in November 2002, establishing baseline data on paper consumption. The audit revealed that, on average, each staff member used approximately 45 sheets of A4 photocopying/printing paper per day.
Since the 2002 audit, DEH has focused on improving those business systems and processes that impact on paper use. This strategy has resulted in a range of measures that reduce usage. For example:
We are investigating the feasibility of electronic departmental and ministerial letterhead. This will eliminate paper wastage through misprints and excess stock held because of factors like machinery of government changes. Other initiatives include a trial of printing business cards on recycled cardboard.
In 2003-04, we purchased 14 300 reams of A4 paper, weighing some 36.5 tonnes. This is approximately 30 sheets per person per day (see Table 4).
| Total (reams) | 14 300 |
|---|---|
| Total (sheets) | 7 150 000 |
| Total tonnes | 36.5 |
| Per employee (reams) | 15.08 |
| Per employee (sheets) | 7 542 |
| Total cost | $76 505.00 |
| Cost per employee | $80.70 |
(a) Data is not currently available for paper used for publications, outsourced printing or paper based stationery. Nor is reliable data available for printing/photocopying paper in sizes other than A4.
In 2004-05, we will:
By the end of 2005, we will conduct another paper audit.
Current Australian Government and departmental procurement policies require the consideration of environmental issues as part of value for money. DEH has also developed a draft Environmental Purchasing Guide and 15 draft checklists covering common types of goods and services procured by the Australian Government. These policies are reflected in our Chief Executive Instructions for procurement.
Some of the Department's activities aim directly to improve the performance of our suppliers. We do not currently capture this data in our business systems. An example of how we encourage our suppliers to improve their environmental performance is a recent tender for an Environmental Management System training package. The Department inserted a criterion specifically asking for evidence of an environmental management policy or other initiatives to improve the environmental performance of supplier organisations.
Working with the Australian Greenhouse Office and the Department of Finance and Administration, DEH has developed a voluntary Environmental Purchasing Guide and 15 Environmental Purchasing Checklists. These will assist Australian Government departments and agencies to take into account the environmental performance of a good or service. The guide and checklists will also help drive supply chain environmental improvement through procurements that ask about the environmental performance of suppliers' own operations. The guide and checklists will be released in 2004-05.