J. Environmental Performance Reporting

Ecologically Sustainable Development and Environmental Performance

The following summary of our environmental management activities and performance is provided in accordance with section 516A of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act).

As stated in our Environmental Policy Statement, we are committed to the principles of sustainable development. We recognise our responsibility to the Australian Government and the wider community to make a contribution to minimise the impact of our operations on the environment.

During 2008–09 we continued to demonstrate environmental responsibility by minimising the negative impacts we have on the environment through efficient use of resources, effective waste management and pollution prevention.

Our decision-making processes effectively integrate long-term and short-term economic, environmental and social considerations.

Our Environmental Policy Statement and Chief Executive Instructions (CEI’s) in relation to procurement provide documentary evidence of our commitment to ecologically sustainable development (ESD).

a. How the activities of, and the administration of legislation by, the Department accorded with the principles of ESD—section 516A(6)(a)

Our advice to the Prime Minister takes into account the impact on the environment, the community and the Budget, and includes environmental impact statements where biodiversity and ecological integrity is identified as being at risk. These concepts are particularly relevant when advice is provided on such things as the impact of climate change, water reform and alternative energy.

b. How the outcomes specified for the Department in an Appropriations Act contribute to ESD (see paragraph 516A(6)(b))

The department’s planned outcome is sound and well coordinated government policies, programs and decision making processes. As highlighted above our advice takes into consideration ecologically sustainable development where there is a potential risk to the environment. This is achieved through consultation with relevant Commonwealth, state, industry and community groups.

c. The effect of the Department’s activities on the environment (see paragraph 516A(6)(c))

Our building at One National Circuit was built in accordance with the Australian Building Greenhouse Rating (ABGR) scheme (now the National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS)) to have an energy rating of 4.5 stars. In February 2009 One National Circuit was awarded a 4.5 star rating for base building and a 4 star rating for whole of building.

In May 2009 One National Circuit was awarded 5 stars for water efficiency.

 

Figure 8.10: National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS ) for One National Circuit, Barton

	Base Building	Whole Building	Water
NABERS rating	4.5 stars	4 stars	5 stars

Environmental Management System (EMS)

Our continual commitment to the environment is reflected through our Environmental Management System, based on the Australian Standard ASNZS ISO 14004:1996. This System identifies key aspects of our business that impacts upon the environment, and provides for a range of initiatives to monitor and alleviate the impact.

In 2008–09, our major environmental impact related to the consumption of energy and goods, as well as waste generated by staff in the course of day-to-day activities.

Energy Usage at One National Circuit

During 2008–09 our initiatives to decrease electricity usage has resulted in a reduction of 7.17% for tenant light and power and a reduction of 6.47% in base building electricity even though staff¹² occupancy has increased by 33%.

Figure 8.11: Energy Usage Trend Information

	2007-08	2008-09	% Change
Tenant Light and Power	1,552,203 kWh	1,440,933 kWh	7.17% reduction
Base Building electricity	933,454 kWh	873,035 kWh	6.47% reduction
Natural Gas Consumption	1,651 GJ	2,094 GJ	26.83% increase

Carbon Footprint

To establish a baseline for us to monitor our impact on the environment an initiative to assess our carbon footprint in accordance with the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol for the two full years since occupying One National Circuit was undertaken.

Even though staff increased by 33%, our greenhouse gas emissions only increased by 17.41 % from 2007–08 to 2008–09. Our net GHG emissions for 2007‑08 were calculated to be 4,408 tonnes carbon dioxide equivalents (CO₂-e). In 2008‑09 our net emissions increased to 4,940 tonnes CO₂-e.

Figure 8.12: Emissions Trend Information

	2007-08	2008-09	% Change
Emissions in tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent	4,208 CO2-e	4,940 CO2-e	17.41% increase

The main findings of the assessment were:

• Electricity consumption and supply together were the largest contributors to our total emissions; 60.34% in 2007‑08 and 48.22% in 2008‑09.
• Emissions from electricity decreased from 2,212 tonnes CO₂-e in 2007‑08 to 2,059 tonnes CO₂-e in 2008‑09, a decrease of 7% year on year.
• A significant change was a 64% increase in the number of kilometres flown (air travel) during 2008–09 which reflects both increased staff and increased activities undertaken. Air travel contributed 1,539 tonnes CO₂-e to our emissions in 2007‑08. This increased in 2008‑09 to 2,421 tonnes CO₂-e
• Emissions from natural gas increased from 85 tonnes CO₂-e in 2007‑08 to 107 tonnes CO₂-e in 2008‑09
• Refrigerant emissions were static at 87 tonnes CO₂-e each financial year
• Waste to landfill emissions decreased from 5.3 tonnes CO₂-e in 2007‑08 to 2.5 tonnes CO₂-e in 2008‑09, a 53% decrease.

Figure 8.13: Trends in Our Emissions by Source

Emission Item	2007-08	2008-09	% Change
Electricity	50 %	40 %	down 10 %
Air Travel	35 %	47 %	up 12%
Waste to Landfill	0 %	0 %	0 %
Supply of Electricity	10 %	8 %	down 2%
Extraction of Natural Gas	1 %	1 %	0 %
Extraction of Diesel	0 %	0 %	0 %
Extraction of Petrol	0 %	0 %	0 %
Natural Gas	2 %	2 %	0 %
Diesel from Generator	0 %	0 %	0 %
Air Conditioning	2 %	2 %	0 %
Petrol from Pool Vehicles	0 %	0 %	0 %
Fridges	0 %	0 %	0 %
	100%	100%

Leased Vehicles

During 2008–09 the proportion of our leased vehicle fleet which met the Greenhouse Vehicle Guide (GVG) rating target of 10.5 increased to 64%. In 2008–09 pool vehicles averaged a GVG rating of 12.6. The whole fleet averaged a GVG rating of 11.2.

Our high use of ethanol-based fuels was maintained with a slight increase to 44.5% of fuel purchased.

Figure 8.14: Trends in Leased Vehicle Targets

	2007-08	2008-09	% Change
% fleet meeting GVG target	51.35%	64%	up 12.65%
E10 usage	44.0%	44.5%	up 0.5%

d. The measures the Department is taking to minimise d. the impact of our activities on the environment—section 516A(6)(d)

As part of the EMS we set goals at the beginning of each financial year and then report achievements against those goals at the end of the financial year. The achievements for 2008–09 are as follows:

Figure 8.15: Performance against Environmental Goals

Goal	Outcomes Achieved
Reduce waste going to landfill	97% recycled waste from One National Circuit. Increased staff awareness on the importance of recycling via screensavers, posters and emails. Recycled mobile phones.
Reduce energy consumption and greenhouse emissions	Awarded NABERS energy ratings of 4.5 stars for base building and 4 stars for whole of building. Tenant light and power electricity consumption decreased by 7.17% on 2007–08 levels despite staff numbers increasing. In 2008–09 pool vehicles averaged a GVG rating of 12.6. The whole fleet averaged GVG rating of 11.2. The following cost effective energy initiatives were undertaken: Installed new desktop computers through the department with more energy efficient features Installed light switches in breakout areas so lights can be switched off when not required Implemented after hour light sensors in all work areas so only lights within immediate area are activated when staff are present Implemented energy reporting by zone to identify any anomalies Virtualised IT servers to reduce the number of servers the department operates, and Participated in Earth Hour 2009.
Reduce water wastage	In February 2009 the department was awarded a 5 star NABERS water consumption benchmark. Raised staff awareness of the importance of reporting leaking taps, toilets and facilities via computer screensavers. Continued using rainwater storage tank in basement to flush toilets and water gardens whenever water in tank.
Purchase environmentally sound products and appliances	Planet Protect Identification products were purchased for security passes and retractable reels made from 100% recycled material. All appliances purchased had the highest environmental rating for that product type. Environmental criteria included in all tender documentation and contract templates issued to industry.

Waste Management

We introduced, as part of our cleaning contract, the measurement of all waste and recycled material being removed from One National Circuit. This was done in order to provide visibility of proportion of waste being recycled in order to minimise associated waste production through efficient consumption of resources and recycling of waste products.

During 2008–09 we reduced the amount of total waste generated by 6% and also achieved a 3% increase in the percentage of waste recycled by recycling 97% of all our waste.

Figure 8.16: Waste Management Breakdown Trends

The major component of recycled waste was paper – both office paper and paper towelling – which comprised 75% of all material recycled.

Figure 8.17: Trends in the Breakdown of Recycled Waste

Recycling Item	2007–08	2008–09	Change
Paper	35,077. kg	39,174 kg	up
Towelling Paper etc	41,137.5 kg	35,641 kg	down
Commingled	4,474.5 kg	4,763.5 kg	up
Cardboard	12,213 kg	10,252 kg	down
Printer Cartridges	563.1 kg	538 kg	down
Compost	1951 kg	2,539 kg	up
Polystyrene	30.2 kg	32.6 kg	up

Water

One National Circuit is highly water efficient and in 2009 the building received an NABERS 5 star efficiency rating for water.

The building has a 70,000 litre water tank in the basement that services all the toilets and the gardens at One National Circuit. The building also has water conservation measures such as dual flush toilets, waterless urinals and low-flow showers.

We continued to promote staff awareness of responsible water use including the reporting any leaks or defective plumbing promptly.

e. The Department’s mechanisms for reviewing and increasing the effectiveness of its environmental management strategies — section 516A(6)(d)

EMS Management Review

At the end of each EMS cycle, an EMS Management Review is conducted that reviews the system’s suitability to manage the department’s environmental risks and the effectiveness of environmental management activities. The next cycle of EMS procedural application is based on this information, ensuring that future actions benefit from lessons learnt in previous cycles

12. Includes ongoing, non-ongoing and in-operative staff, but does not include secondees, contractors and casuals.

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