3.9: Ecologically Sustainable Development

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We are committed to making a positive contribution to ecologically sustainable practices

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

1. decision-making processes should effectively integrate both long-term and short-term economic, environmental, social and equitable considerations;
2. 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;
3. 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;
4. the conservation of biological diversity and ecological integrity should be a fundamental consideration in decision-making; and
5. improved valuation, pricing and incentive mechanisms should be promoted.

Section 516A of the EPBC Act requires the Department to report on the following subsections of the Act in its Annual Report.

Activities of, and the Administration of Legislation by the Department during 2011-12 Accorded with ESD principles [Section 516A(6)(a)]

Of the pieces of legislation administered by the Department¹⁴⁴ in 2011-12, the Gene Technology Act 2000 was relevant to, and met ecologically sustainable principles.

The Gene Technology Regulator (the Regulator) administers the Gene Technology Act 2000. This Act 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.

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

In 2011-12, the Department, through the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator continued to support the 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 Department also contributed to ESD by ensuring effective delivery of its services with minimised environmental impact. This includes a methodical approach to planning, implementing and monitoring the Department’s environmental performance through programs and policies that are in accordance with current legislation and whole-of-Government requirements.

The Department participated in whole-of-Government environmental performance reporting against the Energy Efficiency in Government Operations (EEGO) policy and the National Waste policy.

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

In 2011-12, the Department identified key aspects of its operations that have an effect on the environment and aimed to effectively monitor and manage this through the Environmental Management System (EMS) to ensure accountability and continued improvement. The Department’s key environmental initiatives related to reducing consumption of energy, minimising waste going to landfill and maximising the efficient use of resources through its business activities.

The Department continued development of an EMS which aligns with the International Standard ISO 14001:2004. The EMS assists the Department to monitor and manage its environmental performance by setting objectives and targets against energy efficiency, efficient use of resources, effective waste management and water conservation. Further environmental policies, plans and procedures will be implemented as part of the Department’s Environmental Strategy.

The Department is committed to making a positive contribution to sustainable practices and uses benchmark indicators and targets set by government agencies such as the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities and the Australian National Audit Office to monitor performance.

Measures the Department is Taking to Minimise the Impact of Activities on the Environment [Section 516A(6)(d)]

In 2011-12, the Department focused on redesigning the EMS and commencing development of an Environmental Strategy. The revised system will deliver improved environmental practices and outcomes which will support more comprehensive reporting in future years.

Energy Consumption

In 2011-12, the Department consumed approximately 43,524 gigajoules of energy. The Department’s total energy consumed includes the Therapeutic Goods Administration, the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator and the Office of the Aged Care Commissioner.

The EEGO policy establishes energy intensity targets of 7,500 megajoules per person per annum (MJ/person/annum) for tenant light and power to be met by June 2011. The Department achieved this target in 2010-11 and reported 4,349.15 MJ/person/annum in the Online System for Comprehensive Activity Reporting (OSCAR) and anticipates achieving the target again for 2011-12 which will be reported in October 2012.

Energy saving initiatives in the Department’s leased property portfolio includes T5 and movement activated sensor lighting, double glazed windows and efficient heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems. This ensures that National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS) and Greenstar ratings are achieved. As part of its strategic accommodation plan, the Department previously relocated to a number of new buildings with improved energy efficiency. The below table details the Departments base building NABERS ratings that achieve 4.5 stars or over.

The Department’s central offices in Canberra access the whole-of-Government electricity supply contract, managed by the Department of Defence, which includes 10 per cent of green power. As part of its electricity procurement plan, the Department is working to include all of its ACT and NSW sites on the whole-of-Government contract and ensure its other sites nationally access 10 per cent green power arrangements.

The Department’s Desktop Futures Program (DFP) was completed in 2012. The DFP replaced the Department’s physical desktop computers with hosted virtual desktops. This results in significant energy savings for the Department. Under the Federal Government Green Legislation, the Department is required to achieve targets of 400kWh per user, per annum by July 2012 and 250kWh per user, per annum by July 2015. Enabled by the changes brought about by the DFP, the Department met the July 2012 target by achieving a power usage of 390kWh per user, per annum. To achieve the 2015 target, the Department will implement a power saving policy for end user devices by ensuring they go on standby between 7pm and 7am which is anticipated to significantly reduce power consumption to 225kWh per user, per annum.

In addition, the Department actively participated in Earth Hour 2012 by switching off building lights, computers, monitors and multi-functional devices around Australia.

Waste Management and Recycling

The Department is committed to the protection of the environment through implementation of effective waste management programs.

In the majority of the Department’s leased accommodation, segregated waste streams (including general waste, commingled recycling, organic recycling and paper and cardboard recycling) have been implemented. Tonnage figures are reported below. Further recycling efforts include printer and toner cartridges, mobile phones, and batteries. This ensures that these items are diverted from landfill.

The Department has implemented a centrally managed paper supply which monitors the usage of paper. The Department purchased paper with both 50 per cent and 100 per cent recycled content. Of the 63,624 reams purchased in 2011-12, 59,150 contained a recycled content, making the percentage of recycled paper ordered by the Department 92.6 per cent in total.

The Department operates and encourages the use of an Excess Stationery Store. This encourages staff to recycle and reuse existing stationery before ordering new supplies. The store aims to reduce excess waste going to landfill and also helps to reduce the demand for natural resources and energy used in relation to the manufacturing process and environmental degradation associated with packaging and transport of goods.

Leased Vehicle Fleet

During 2011-12, the Department maintained a fleet of 63 vehicles. The fleet contained 61 vehicles that meet the Green Vehicle Guide (GVG) score of 10.5. The vehicles scoring below 10.5 are fit for purpose vehicles used in rural and remote areas. Of the 63 vehicles in the fleet, 22 are Toyota Camry Hybrid vehicles.

The Department’s procurement procedures state that all new or replacement vehicles must have a GVG score of over 10.5 to ensure compliance in the future.

Water Conservation

The Department occupies a range of buildings that have NABERS water ratings and water saving initiatives such as the use of grey water to flush toilets, waterless urinals and water saving shower heads.

Mechanisms for Reviewing and Increasing the Effectiveness of those Measures that Minimise the Impact of the Department on the Environment [Section 516A(6)(e)]

The Department is committed to making a positive contribution to sustainable development and conservation through the adoption of better practice within our business operations.

In 2012-13, the Department will continue to implement the EMS which will further assist with identifying, managing and reducing the Department’s impact on the environment and provide a consolidated system for monitoring and measuring these impacts. The revised EMS will provide the Department with a systematic and methodical approach to improving and reviewing its environmental performance in the future.

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

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