Government sustainability
The Australian Government aims to improve the environmental performance of Australian Government departments and agencies, by providing advice, communication networks, and access to best practice environmental management techniques from around the world.
Energy Efficiency in Government Operations (EEGO)
Energy Efficiency in Government Operations (EEGO) aims to improve energy efficiency, and consequently reduce the whole of life cost and environmental impact of Government operations.
Energy Efficiency in Government Operations
Environmental reporting under Section 516A of the EPBC Act
Mandated by S516A of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, Australian Government departments and agencies are required to report on their sustainability performance as part of their Annual Reports.
Environmental performance reporting
Public Sector Environmental reporting
Some public and private sector organisations are choosing to report publicly on their environmental performance through Public Environment Reports. Others are choosing to provide information about their social and financial performance in a sustainability report or a triple bottom line report.
More about Public Sector Environmental Reporting.
Environmental management systems (EMS)
Government agencies can make significant cost savings and increase efficiency by using an effective environmental management system (EMS).
More about Environmental management systems.
Other initiatives
- Environmental purchasing
- encouraging the consideration of relevant environmental policies, programs, costs and benefits in Australian Government purchasing by the provision of voluntary environmental purchasing tools.
More about environmental purchasing - Water efficiency in Government Operations
- improving the water efficiency of office buildings and public buildings.
More about Water efficiency in Government Operations
Publications
Books and reports
- Energy Efficiency in Government Operations (EEGO)
- Environmental management policy - February 2008
- Environmental performance reporting - Section 516A reports
- Sustainability Report 2005-2006 - 2007
- Sustainability summary report - 2005-06 - 2007
- Triple Bottom Line Report 2004-05
- Triple Bottom Line Report 2003-04
- ESD design guide for office and public buildings - May 2007
- Energy use in the Australian Government's operations
- Environmental Management System Tool - 2009
- Water efficiency guide: office and public buildings - October 2006
- Water benchmarks for offices and public buildings - September 2005
- Environmental purchasing guide - 2003
- A Framework for Public Environmental Reporting: An Australian Approach - 2000
- National government waste reduction and purchasing guidelines - 1997
Fact sheets
ESD operations guide
The ESD operations guide for owners, managers and tenants - A guide to help building owners, managers and tenants to operate buildings more sustainably
ESD design guide
The ESD design guide for office and public buildings provides an accessible introduction to ESD in buildings, suitable for all public sector staff involved in construction or refurbishment projects.