Whole-of-Government ICT Sustainability Plan
Latest news
ICT Sustainability Plan Discussion Paper
The Whole-of-Government ICT Sustainability Plan Discussion Paper was released for comment on 7 September 2009 by the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. Comments closed on 30 September 2009 and around 20 submissions were received.
ICT Sustainability Plan Discussion Paper
ICT Managers in Australian Government show leadership
Recent independent research into Australian Government agencies has found that Australian Government ICT managers are more concerned and have greater awareness about climate change than the general Australian population and ICT managers in other sectors.
Green ICT: The State of the Nation
What is the ICT Sustainability Plan?
The Whole-of-Government Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Sustainability Plan will assist agencies to better align their use of ICT with the Government's overall sustainability agenda. The aim is to identify standards to be applied in government purchasing of ICT products and services, and measures to improve environmental performance of ICT, particularly in terms of energy efficiency. The plan will also encourage government agencies to consider the use of technology as an enabler of sustainability.
Background
Gershon Review
In 2008 a review was undertaken by Sir Peter Gershon to identify ways in which the Australian Government could strengthen the whole-of-government management of ICT and maximise the benefits from ICT to drive greater efficiency and deliver better services. The resulting report, Review of the Australian Government's Use of Information and Communications Technology, highlighted a disconnect between the Government's overall sustainability agenda and its ability to manage energy costs and the carbon footprint of its ICT estate.
ICT Reform Program
In response to the Gershon Review, the Government initiated a comprehensive ICT Reform Program including the development of a Whole-of-Government ICT Sustainability Plan. The Australian Government Information Management Office (AGIMO), within the Department of Finance and Deregulation, is responsible for implementing the ICT Reform Program. The ICT Sustainability Plan is being developed by the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts in consultation with the AGIMO.
The plan is being developed to integrate with existing policies and initiatives relating to government sustainability including the e Government Strategy, Energy Efficiency in Government Operations, and the Greening of Government and to complement current and emerging efforts focused on the sustainability of ICT in Government such as Green ICT Quick Wins and ICT better practice checklists.
Key objectives of the Plan
The key objectives of a Whole-of-Government ICT Sustainability Plan are:
- To identify ways of improving ICT environmental performance across Australian Government departments taking a product lifecycle perspective in terms of materials used in production, energy efficiency, and waste management;
- To identify mandatory environmental standards to be applied in Australian Government purchasing of ICT products and services; and
- To consider the contribution that ICT can make more broadly to achieving more sustainable practices.
Timeframe
The development of the ICT Sustainability Plan is due to be completed by December 2009.
Resources
- Australian Governement Procurement Policy and Guidance
- e-Government Strategy
- Energy Efficiency in Government Operations
- Green ICT Quick Wins
- ICT Reform Program Projects
- ICT Better Practice Checklists and Guides
- ICT Procurement in the Australian Government
- Managing the Environmental Impact of information and communications technology (ICT)
- Policy framework for Greening of Government