Print this pageThe Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (ePBC Act) sets out the following principles for ecologically sustainable development (eSD):
- The integration principle—environmental, social, economic and equitable considerations are integrated into decision-making.
- The precautionary principle—lack of scientific certainty is not used as a reason for postponing measures to prevent environmental degradation.
- The intergenerational principle—conservation of the environment is supported for the benefit of future generations.
- The biodiversity principle—biodiversity and ecological integrity are taken into account where these are identified as at risk.
- The valuation principle—valuation, pricing and incentive mechanisms are improved and recognise the true cost of activities (environmental, social and economic).
Section 526A of the Act requires agencies to report on:
- how their activities (including administration of legislation if any) accord with ESD principles
- how the outcomes they work towards, and are appropriated resources against, contribute to ESD
- how their activities affect the environment, and
- how they minimise harm to it, and review and increase the effectiveness of harm minimisation measures.
ESD concepts are relevant to most of PM&C's functions and outcomes as described in Chapter 1 (see page 1).
Our main role is to ensure that the Prime Minister receives the best possible quality of advice as Australia's head of government. In this role, we aspire to ensure that:
- all of the proposals that we put to government—or that other agencies lodge with us for consideration by government—are clear about their potential impact on the environment, the community and the budget
- environmental impact statements are developed for all proposals where biodiversity and ecological integrity is identified as at risk, and
- intergenerational, precautionary and/or valuation issues are taken into account in our advice to government on issues such as climate change, water reform and alternative energy (see Chapter 3 page 19).
Our other major role is to provide a range of support services for government operations, in line with relevant Acts. Most of these functions and Acts are less relevant to eSD concepts, however, we do manage the Prime Minister's official residences in line with eSD principles:
- a formal heritage strategy is being developed for both residences as required by the ePBC Act, and
- rubbish recycling and water wise measures are in place and further measures are under consideration.
More information about the residences is provided in Chapter 6 (page 62).
Our effect on the environment is positive in many ways, but our day-to-day operations do consume resources such as electricity, fuel, water and paper. We also generate waste in various forms.
Our office building energy usage continued to exceed the government target of no more than 10 000 megajoules per occupant. This result reflects the design of our current office building, and we expect to meet the target once we move to our new building.
Water use and waste generation are not routinely measured or required to be measured at present. However, we estimate that 95 per cent of the paper and cardboard we use is collected by a recycling company.
Measures to minimise harm to the environment will receive a major boost when we move to our new building in 2007. The development features environmental initiatives including:
- use of low embodied energy materials to construct the building
- a 4½ star energy rating for the life of our occupancy (at least 15 years)
- water wise measures including rainwater collection, and
- waste separation facilities.
We will also implement an environmental management system in line with the international standard ISO 14001:2004.
In the meantime, we have continued to source more than five per cent of our electricity needs from renewable sources, reducing the carbon dioxide produced in order to supply our needs significantly.
In addition, we have started monitoring use of e10 ethanol blended fuel in our vehicle fleet, in line with government commitments to encourage biofuels use where possible (see page 24). More than 39 per cent of the fuel we used in June 2006 was e10.
We have also reduced our energy use and reduced waste through, for example:
- sensor-operated lights in kitchens and storerooms
- energy efficient boiling and chilling units for drinking water
- flatscreen computer monitors which draw less energy than our old monitors, and
- computer settings which default to double‑sided printing.
- Contract also listed as a new consultancy with a value of $10 000 or more
- may include payments under $1500