4.5 - Ecologically Sustainable Development

The National Strategy for Ecologically Sustainable Development, accessible at <www.environment.gov.au>, defines Ecologically Sustainable Development as using, conserving and enhancing the community’s resources so that ecological processes, on which life depends, are maintained, and the total quality of life, now and in the future, can be increased.

The Department’s environmental performance in 2006–07 is discussed against Section 516A of the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

Legislation Administered by the Department During 2006–07 Accords with Ecologically Sustainable Development Principles (Section 516A(6)(a))

In 2006–07, the Department managed in excess of 50 pieces of legislation. Examples of legislation administered by the Department that were relevant to, and met Ecologically Sustainable Development principles include:

• the Gene Technology Act 2000. Administered by the Gene Technology Regulator, this Act aims to protect the heath 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; and
• the Industrial Chemicals (Notification and Assessment) Act 1989, which is administered by the National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme. This Act provides for a national notification and risk assessment scheme for industrial chemicals.

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

The Department’s 15 outcomes provide a framework to support the improvement of Australia’s health care system and meet the needs of older Australians. In working to achieve these outcomes, the Department undertook a number of activities in 2006–07 that addressed Ecologically Sustainable Development principles and had Ecologically Sustainable Development relevance.

Ambient Air Quality

The Department, in conjunction with the National Health and Medical Research Council, supported the Developing a Health Based Methodology for Setting Ambient Air Quality Standards workshop in July 2006. The workshop achieved consensus between the environment and health sectors on how health-based guidelines for air pollutants should be developed. The outcome of this workshop was the development of a health hazard assessment approach to guide standard setting for ambient air quality in Australia.

This work supported the development of air quality standards under the National Environment Protection (Ambient Air Quality) initiative. The resulting report <em>Ambient Air Quality Standards Setting: An Approach to Health Based Hazard Assessment</em>, accessible at <www.nhmrc.gov.au>, is being used to inform the Environment Protection and Heritage Standards Setting Committee and the National Environment Protection Council in its review of the National Environmental Protection Measure for Ambient Air Quality, due to be finalised in 2008.

National Water Recycling

The Department participated in the development of national water recycling guidelines during the year. Phase 1 of the Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling was released in November 2006 and is accessible at <www.ephc.gov.au>. The Environment Protection and Heritage Council, the Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council and the Australian Health Protection Committee endorsed the release of Phase 2 of the guidelines in June 2007.

Regulation of Gene Technology

In 2006–07, the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator continued to support 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 human health and safety, and the environment, and had extensive powers to monitor and enforce those conditions.

Assessment of Chemicals

The National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme continued to operate within an agreed framework for the environmentally sound management of chemicals, consistent with the National Strategy for Ecologically Sustainable Development principles and policies. The scheme’s risk assessments included a hazard assessment, dose-response relationships and exposure assessment. In recommending risk management strategies, the scheme balanced economic and social benefits with the economic and social costs of implementing the strategies.

The scheme’s environmental risk assessment activities were undertaken through a cooperative partnership arrangement with the Department of the Environment and Water Resources. Risk assessments and ensuing risk management strategies operated within the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development Agenda 21 (Rio Declaration) framework. In addition, the scheme’s Low Regulatory Concern Chemical reforms, implemented in 2006–07, included strategies that encouraged the introduction of less hazardous chemicals that posed lower risks to the environment.

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

Environmental Management System

The Department’s continual commitment to the environment is reflected through its Environmental Management System, based on the Australian Standard ASNZS ISO 14004:1996. This system identified key aspects of the Department’s business that impacted upon the environment, and provided for a range of initiatives to monitor and alleviate the impact. In 2006–07, the Department’s major environmental impact related to the consumption of energy and goods, as well as waste generated by staff in the course of their day-to-day activities.

Health Infrastructure in Indigenous Communities

Capital works projects provided health infrastructure that enabled Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations to deliver high quality health care services that meet the changing needs of these communities. The infrastructure was built and designed to be durable, locally sustainable and appropriate to the cultural and physical environment. Further, it encouraged community development and ownership.

The capital works guidelines for this infrastructure included requirements for passive solar design principles, shaded buildings, adequate wall and ceiling insulation to reduce heating and cooling requirements, and separate male and female consultation rooms. As at 30 June 2007, 18 new clinics and 14 new health staff houses/duplexes in remote areas were completed.

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

During 2006–07, the Department, through its Environmental Management System, continued to operate in an ecologically sustainable way and reduce the negative impacts of day-to-day activities. Examples include increasing the use of green power, moving to more efficient and greener accommodation, recycling of office stationery, and the use of recycled printing material. Details of these activities in 2006–07 are set out below.

Reduced Energy Consumption

The Department’s Central Office experienced an overall increase in electricity usage attributed to additional accommodation demands. When this is viewed in terms of units of electricity (kWH) per unit of leased office area (m2), there is a clear downward trend in the Department’s electricity usage over the past five years (see Table 4.5.1). This demonstrates an on-going commitment to realising energy efficiencies.

Table 4.5.1: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (CO²) for Energy Use - Central Office 2003-07

Central Office	2003-04	2004-05	2005-06	2006-07
Leased sq meters (per annum)	45,410	44,900	52,300	57,697
Energy use (kWh)	7,061,000	5,998,600	5,575,156	940,064
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (tonnes)#	6,955	5,791	5,161	6,344
Continuous annual change in GHG emissions (tonnes)	-1,044	-1,164	-630	+1,183
% change in GHG emissions (per annum)	-13%	-17%	-11%	+18.6%
kWh per m2 of leased area	155.5	133.6	106.6	102.9

Source: The Department of Health and Ageing.
# Calculated using GHG calculator, accessible at <www.greenhouse.gov.au>.

Significant efforts were made in the Department’s State and Territory Offices to improve energy efficiency. The Melbourne office moved to new premises which have a 4.5 star Australian Building Greenhouse Rating. The design of the fit-out helped achieve this rating, and a Green Lease Schedule with the lessor ensures that both parties will work collaboratively to maintain and improve energy efficiency over the term of the lease.

The Adelaide office also relocated to a new premium grade building designed and constructed to a 5 star Australian Building Greenhouse Rating and 5 star Green Star rating. The fit-out was designed to achieve a minimum 4.5 star Australian Building Greenhouse Rating in accordance with the Energy Use in the Australian Government’s Operations policy provisions.

Expansion of Office Recycling to Reduce Waste Going to Landfill

As illustrated in Table 4.5.2, the Department’s efforts in recycling paper, commingled waste and toner cartridges improved on results from 2005–06.

Further, the Department continued to operate an Excess Stationery Store providing staff with a central site where surplus office supplies may be dropped off and collected. By recycling stock in preference to purchasing of new items, the demand for natural resources and energy used in manufacturing is reduced. There is also a reduction in the environmental degradation associated with packaging and transport.

Table 4.5.2: Minimising Impact of Activities – Central Office 2006–07

Central Office	Volume	Environmental Impact Minimised
Office paper and cardboard recycled	193.515 tonnes (Compares with 169.8 tonnes in 2005–06.)	Through recycling 193.515 tonnes of paper and cardboard, greenhouse emission savings equivalent to 77 tonnes of carbon dioxide were realised, and 3,500 gigajoules of energy and 4,500 litres of water were conserved.
Old mobile phones and batteries recycled	70 items (Compares with 87 items in 2005 06.)	Mobile phones contain highly toxic materials such as cadmium, lead and nickel, which have the potential to leach into the water-table and contaminate the environment. (Source: <archive.dcita.gov.au>)
Used toner cartridges recycled	1,929 items (Compares with 1,152 items in 2005–06.)	Recycling printer cartridges prevents potentially hazardous materials from polluting the environment. The metals used in cartridges are mined from the earth’s crust and the plastics are derived from petroleum. Recovering resources from used cartridges reduces the demand for, and environmental impacts of, mining and manufacturing new materials. (Source: <www.planetark.org.au>)
Commingle recycling	6,628 kg (Compares with 4,075 kg in 2005–06.)	Manufacturing products from recycled materials reduces the demand for new materials for manufacture and levels of harmful emissions reaching the atmosphere. This process saves energy, which in Australia is primarily generated through the burning of coal. (Source: <www2.mdbc.gov.au>)

Publishing in Alternative Formats

Throughout 2006–07, the Department continued to promote alternative options to paper for publishing formats, helping to reduce paper usage, packaging and mailing costs. Examples include the provision of 2007 Aged Care Approvals Round information and application forms on CD ROM, rather than in paper format; and the publishing of the Draft Community Packaged Care Guidelines in electronic format on the Department’s website. Only a small number of paper copies were produced. The distribution of information and newsletters to industry and stakeholders by email instead of printed material also contributed to the Department’s Ecologically Sustainable Development activities.

Promotion and Utilisation of Recycled Office Products

In 2006–07, 73 per cent of the printing paper used by the Department contained 50 per cent content of recycled fibres and had the general qualities and archival longevity equal to those of virgin paper. The Department’s publications area continued to promote the use of print alternatives from re-used materials, such as post-consumer polypropylene products and recycled paper stocks.

Table 4.5.3: The Department’s Paper Consumption

Paper	2003-04	2004-05	2005-06	2006-07
Total reams	92,040	63,200	68,036	81,779
% change in consumption	n/a	-31%	8%	20%
% white paper with recycled component	64%	66%	75%	73%

Therapeutic Goods Administration Accreditation and Compliance

Throughout 2006-07, the Therapeutic Goods Administration operated under the Australian Standard Environmental Management System. The Administration is now finalising Environmental Management System accreditation and developing processes for the ongoing review of environmental management system practices to ensure compliance. It also continued to closely monitor energy trends and was proactive in the environmental disposal of items such as fluorescent tubes and laboratory waste.

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

The Department continued to improve its environmental performance through the Environment Management System. The system incorporates regular reviews and audit schedules as well as evaluation processes facilitating the achievement of system objectives, targets and action plans. The 2005–08 targets seek a ten per cent improvement on the Department’s 2004–05 achievements.

The Department also reports electricity and fuel consumption annually in the Energy Use in the Australian Government’s Operations, highlighting progress against Government and departmental targets.