Australian Government ICT Sustainability Plan 2010 - 2015

Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, 2010

Section 6. Implementation

6.1 Central government coordination

One of the objectives of this ICT Sustainability Plan is to demonstrate Australian Government leadership in the sustainable management of ICT operations. This will only occur if the overall approach and actions contained in the plan lead to improved outcomes. To ensure these outcomes are achieved appropriate coordination and oversight of agency activities, and the implementation of systems to underpin the plan, are required.

Central coordination will be provided by a nominated agency to ensure that whole-of-government outcomes are realised and that agencies receive appropriate support and guidance during the implementation of the plan.

6.2 Implementation activities

The nominated central coordination agency will develop an ICT Sustainability Implementation Plan to schedule and cost activities. Some of the key transitional arrangements and agency support activities are listed below.

Sustainable ICT procurement	Modify central government ICT procurement contracts and requests for tender templates to include ICT sustainability requirements (prospective activity) Provide sustainable ICT procurement guidance for agencies, such as information on eco-labels and environmental standards; the NPC and NWP. Provide information and training for agencies on the Green ICT Procurement Kit, particularly the mandatory environmental standards Provide guidance on appropriate evaluation measures or weighting for environmental criteria within ICT procurement evaluations Provide guidance on responsible ICT suppliers
Energy and carbon management	Enhance the OSCAR database to enable separate ICT energy and carbon emission reporting Develop an energy management plan (EMP) template for agencies Develop a whole-of-government ICT energy consumption target Develop guidance on ICT energy intensity measures and other performance measures Develop and manage Green Lease Schedules for data centre leases (prospective activity)
Leadership, governance and management	Establish an ICT Sustainability unit to provide central coordination and support Establish a dedicated ICT Sustainability website to deploy information such as better practice case studies, guidelines and templates Develop, promote and facilitate ICT sustainability awareness, learning and development programs Provide guidance on a Green ICT Scorecard, including performance measures Provide general ICT sustainability guidance materials, including information on using ICT as an enabler of sustainability

6.3 Mid-term review

A mid-term review of the Australian Government ICT Sustainability Plan 2010 - 2015 will be undertaken to determine the plan's effectiveness, including an assessment and progress report on the following areas:

relevance of mandatory environmental criteria for ICT acquisitions and energy intensity measures and targets;
analysis of whole-of-government ICT energy consumption targets and agency targets;
agency progress towards implementing initiatives outlined in Appendix 2;
success of implementation activities; and
environmental, social and financial analysis of benefits realised.

The review will also consider any significant changes in Australian Government policy and international ICT sustainability initiatives and technology.

ACTION: Central coordination, guidance and support for agencies will be provided in the following areas:

supporting agencies with implementation;
policy advice and standardisation of practice;
integration of plan into agency management systems;
online ICT sustainability knowledge centre, helpdesk, training and communication;
measurement, monitoring, evaluation and reporting; and
mid-term review of the plan.

6.4 Exemptions (Opt-outs)

There may be requirements outlined in the plan that are not suitable for agency operations to meet service levels or special purpose needs. In such cases, agencies that have special operational circumstances or business needs can apply for exemption (opt-out) from requirements in the plan by submitting a business case for consideration by the Secretaries' ICT Governance Board (SIGB).⁴⁶

⁴⁶ Agencies should refer to the Process for Administration of Opt-outs from Whole-of-Government ICT Arrangements at www.finance.gov.au/e-government/strategy-and-governance/docs/Process_for_administration_of_opt.pdf