Part 4.5: Ecologically Sustainable Development

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 identifies the principles of ecologically sustainable development as:

decision-making processes should effectively integrate both long-term and short-term economic, environmental, social and equitable considerations;
if there are threats of serious or irreversible environmental damage, lack of full scientific certainty should not be used as a reason for postponing measures to prevent environmental degradation;
the principle of inter-generational equity – that the present generation should ensure that the health, diversity and productivity of the environment is maintained or enhanced for the benefit of future generations;
the conservation of biological diversity and ecological integrity should be a fundamental consideration in decision-making; and
improved valuation, pricing and incentive mechanisms should be promoted.

Section 516A of the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 requires the department to report on the following subsections of the Act in its Annual Report.

Legislation Administered by the Department during 2009-10 Accords with Ecologically Sustainable Development Principles (Section 516A(6)(a))

During 2009-10, the department managed about 60 pieces of legislation. Of these pieces of legislation, the Gene Technology Act 2000 was relevant to, and met ecologically sustainable development principles.

The Gene Technology Act 2000, which is administered by the Gene Technology Regulator, aims to protect the health and safety of people and the environment by identifying risks posed by gene technology and managing those risks through regulating dealings with genetically modified organisms.

Further details on legislation administered by the department can be found in the Administrative Arrangements Order at: www.pmc.gov.au/parliamentary/index.cfm

Outcome Contribution to Ecologically Sustainable Development (Section 516A(6)(b))

The department’s 15 outcomes focus on meeting the community’s health and ageing needs through the delivery of policy, program and regulatory activities. During 2009-10, activities that addressed the principles of, and had relevance to, ecologically sustainable development included:

support to the Gene Technology Regulator in regulating activities involving live and viable genetically modified organisms. These activities ranged from contained work in certified laboratories to releases of genetically modified organisms into the environment. The Regulator imposed licence conditions to protect the environment, and used extensive powers to monitor and enforce those conditions.

The Effect of Departmental Activities on the Environment (Section 516A(6)(c))

In 2009-10, the department’s key environmental impacts related to consumption of energy and goods, and waste generated by staff in the course of business activities. The department aimed to reduce its effect on the environment through its sustainability program.

The sustainability program identifies key aspects of the department’s core business that affect the environment, and provides for a range of measures to monitor and alleviate those impacts. The results of these efforts are discussed below.

Measures Taken to Minimise the Impact of Activities on the Environment (Section 516A(6)(d))

The department is committed to acting sustainably and to the development, implementation and continual improvement of sustainable practices throughout the portfolio. In 2009-10, a range of measures were undertaken to moderate the department’s impact on the environment. Examples of the department’s achievements during the year are outlined below.

Reduced energy consumption

The department undertakes standard energy audits and implements energy and cost-saving measures where appropriate.

In 2009-10, as part of its strategic accommodation plan, the department relocated to a number of new buildings with improved energy efficiency.

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Table 4.5.1: The department’s new building locations and their target energy ratings

Building	Energy Efficiency Audit	Nabers	Greenstar
Sirius Building, Canberra	Monthly	4.5	5
Waymouth Street, Adelaide	Monthly	5	-
152 St Georges Terrace, Perth	Monthly	5	-
39 Woods Street, Darwin	Monthly	5	5
100 Melville Street, Hobart	Monthly	4.5	5
160 Ann Street, Brisbane	Monthly	4.5	5

Source: The Department of Health and Ageing.

Top of pageIn addition, the department actively participated in Earth Hour 2010 by switching off building lights, computers, monitors and multi-functional devices around Australia.

The ongoing energy efficiency program in reducing energy consumption has resulted in a reduction of 49,138 kilowatt hours (kWh) during 2009-10. This equates to a reduction of 45 tonnes of CO² emissions. When viewed in terms of units of electricity (kWh) per unit of leased office area (m2), there is a minor downward trend from 2008-09 which reflects the department’s continuing commitment to reducing energy consumption in older accommodation (see Table 4.5.2).

Purchases of Green Power

Where possible, the department’s central office accommodation accesses the whole-of-government electricity supply contract managed by the Department of Defence, which includes a supplied 10 per cent green power.

Improved Environmental Credentials of Leased Vehicle Fleet

In 2009-10, the department increased the number of vehicles that meet the Green Vehicle Guide of 10.5 from 93.3 per cent to 97 per cent and continues to have a clear preference to lease Green Vehicle Guide compliant vehicles.

The department also actively promotes the use of E10 ethanol blend fuel. E10 and other blends of ethanol are considered to be useful in reducing carbon monoxide (CO) emissions by 20 per cent and 30 per cent under the right conditions. This fuel is now available at all petrol outlets and in 2009-10, the department utilised 26,598 litres compared with 2,785 in 2008-09.

Recycling

The department has committed to the protection of the environment through the implementation of an effective waste management program that meets or exceeds all legislative and regulatory requirements. The waste management, recycling and disposal procedures form a key part of the department’s energy management requirements.

As shown in Table 4.5.3, the department’s efforts in 2009-10 saw increases in the volume of cardboard, organic waste and co-mingled recycling which would otherwise have gone to landfill. There was also an increase in the volume of used printer cartridges and mobile phones recycled, ensuring potentially harmful waste is directed away from landfill.

Furthermore, the department operates, and encourages the use of, an Excess Stationery Store. This provides staff with a central site from which surplus office supplies may be dropped off and collected, which encourages the recycling of existing stock in preference to the purchase of new items. The store has the effect of reducing demand for natural resources and energy used in related manufacturing processes, and reduces environmental degradation associated with packaging and transport.
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Table 4.5.2: Greenhouse gas reductions from energy use – Central Office 2003-2010

Central Office	2003-04	2004-05	2005-06	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Leased sq meters (per annum)	45,410	44,900	52,300	57,697	59,295	57,897	57,897¹
Energy use (kWh)	7,061,000	5,998,600	5,575,156	5,940,064	6,262,469	5,834,123	5,784,985
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (tonnes)²	6,955	5,791	5,161	6,344	5,726	5,230	5,290
Continuous annual reduction in GHG emissions	-1,044	-1,164	-630	+1,183	-618	-496	-45
% reduction in GHG emissions (per annum)	-13%	-17%	-11%	+18.6%	-10%	-8.7%	0.9%
kWh per m² of leased area	155.5	133.6	106.6	102.9	105.6	100.8	103.92

Source: The Department of Health and Ageing.

¹ Figure excludes Sirius Building that was fully occupied in March 2010.

² Calculated using GHG calculator at www.oscar.gov.au

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Table 4.5.3: Minimising impact of activities – Central Office 2009-10

Central Office	Volume			Environmental Impact Minimised
	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Office paper recycled	112.5 tonnes	165.8 tonnes	95.24 tonnes	Every tonne of paper recycled saves 2.5 barrels of oil, 4,100 kWh of electricity, 4 cubic metres of landfill and 31,780 litres of water. Therefore the department saved 238.1 barrels of oil, 390,484.0 kWh of electricity, 380.96 cubic metres of landfill and 3,026,727.2 litres of water. Source: www.cleanuptheworld.org
Old mobile phones and batteries recycled	72 items	32 items	134 items	More than 93 per cent of the materials in mobile phones can be recycled such as nickel, cadmium, cobalt from batteries; gold, silver, copper, tantalum, palladium and copper from circuit boards; various plastics and other metals from handsets and accessories. The metals recycled are used to make batteries, jewellery, stainless steel, plastic pallets and fence posts. Source: www.ecoaction.com.au
Used toner cartridges recycled	2,812 items	3,083 items	3,105 items	Refilling or sending toner cartridges back for remanufacture can extend their life tenfold. It is estimated that approximately 5 million or 30 per cent of cartridges used annually are recovered and remanufactured. Recycling means less dependence on virgin plastic resins that are made from valuable hydrocarbon resources. At the end of a cartridge’s life the ABS plastic is recovered for other purposes. Source: www.sustainability.vic.gov.au
Commingle recycling	8.16 tonnes	22.7 tonnes	29.7 tonnes	Recycling one tonne of plastic saves enough energy to run a refrigerator for a month. Therefore the department can run a fridge for approx 2 years and 6 months. Source: www.cleanup.org.au
Cardboard recycling	14.36 tonnes	16.9 tonnes	20.8 tonnes	Recycling one ton of cardboard saves 13 trees, therefore the department saved approximately 270.4 trees. Source: www.cleanuptheworld.org
Organics	2.7 tonnes	1.9 tonnes	3.13 tonnes	Organic recycling diverts waste from landfill and greatly reduces production of greenhouse gases. This process provides a nutrient rich compost from waste that otherwise would have been lost to landfill. Source: www.anu.edu.au

Source: The Department of Health and Ageing.

Promotion and use of recycled office products

As of June 2010, 80 per cent of printing paper used by the department comprised a component of recycled fibres and was manufactured using ecologically friendly processes.
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Table 4.5.4: The department’s paper consumption 2004-2010

Paper	2004-05	2005-06	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Total reams	63,200	68,036	81,779	79,910	65,452	72,722
Percentage change in consumption	-31%	8%	20%	-2.3%	-18.1%	+11.1%
Percentage white paper with recycled component	66%	75%	73%	74%	76%	80%

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Mechanisms for Reviewing and Improving Measures to Minimise the Impact of the Department on the Environment (Section 516A(6)(e))

The department reports electricity and fuel consumption annually in Energy Use in the Australian Government’s Operations, highlighting progress against Government and internal departmental targets, see www.environment.gov.au

Sirius building – new accommodation for Central Office in 2010

The department moved approximately 3,000 staff into the new Sirius building accommodation in February and March 2010. The building, named after the flagship in Commander Arthur Phillip’s First Fleet, has a nautical theme reflecting the Woden precinct’s First Fleet heritage. The previous Sirius building on the site (at the corner of Furzer and Worgan Streets, Woden, ACT) was completed in 1968 with demolition of that structure commencing in November 2007.

With 10 stories incorporating around 45,000 square metres of office space, the Sirius building has enabled the department to meet the Energy Efficiency in Government Operations (EEGO) Policy for Central Office operations. The building has a National Australian Built Environment Rating System 4.5 star rating and a 5 Greenstar rating. The base building and fit out design uses low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) paints, carpets, and adhesives, ‘low formaldehyde’ composite wood and sustainable timber. Water recycling and water saving devices have been fitted throughout.

The Sirius building represents a highly professional, efficient space that is stimulating to work in, and good value for money. For the staff in Central Office, the new secure and functional work areas that allow co-location of working groups previously spread across three buildings has ensured increased effectiveness in the workplace, reduced frustration and an enhanced ability to deliver outcomes for the community.

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