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 quality of life, for both present and future generations, is increased.

The Department’s success in supporting the strategy’s principles in 2007–08 is discussed against Section 516A of the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

Legislation Administered by the Department During 2007–08 Accords with Ecologically Sustainable Development Principles (Section 516A(6)(a))

In 2007–08, the Department managed more than 60 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, which is administered by the Gene Technology Regulator. 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; 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, which protects people and the environment by determining the risks from industrial chemicals and recommending measures to manage identified risks.

A full listing of legislation administered by the Department can be found in the 4.6 Freedom of Information chapter.

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

The Department’s 15 outcomes focus on meeting the health and ageing needs of the community and supporting people to lead healthy, active lives. In working to achieve these outcomes, the Department undertook a number of activities in 2007–08 that addressed ecologically sustainable development principles and had ecologically sustainable development relevance.

Assessment of Chemicals

The Department’s National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme assessed the risks of industrial chemicals in, and newly introduced to, Australia for effects on worker safety, public health and the environment. The Department also progressed initiatives to improve the safe and sustainable use of industrial chemicals. This included developing regulations to implement the final phase of the Low Regulatory Chemical Concern initiative, which will encourage the introduction of less hazardous chemicals that pose lower risks to the environment. Reforms to the program of assessment for existing chemicals were initiated, to improve the identification, assessment and management of chemicals of concern that are in use in Australia. In addition, the Department initiated a strategy to consider the risks arising from the application of nanotechnology to the development of industrial chemicals. Further discussion of activities relating to the regulation of industrial chemicals can be found in the Outcome 1 – Population Health chapter.

Health Infrastructure in Indigenous Communities

The Department also supported the development of capital works projects such as clinic and staff housing, to provide infrastructure necessary for the delivery of health services to Indigenous communities. The infrastructure was designed and constructed in accordance with the principles of ecologically sustainable development. For instance, guidelines required the adoption of passive solar design, thermal insulation, energy efficient appliances, use of natural lighting and other opportunities to reduce energy consumption. This year, a facilities design guideline was completed that will be utilised in all future clinic development. Discussion on capital works projects can also be found in the Outcome 8 – Indigenous Health chapter.Top of page

Water Recycling

The Department participated in the phase two development of national water recycling guidelines to support beneficial and sustainable recycling of water from sewage, grey water and stormwater. This phase focused on the safe use of recycled water for drinking, stormwater reuse, and managing aquifer recharge for drinking water, non-drinking purposes and ecosystem protection. In April 2008, the Environment Protection and Heritage Council, the Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council and the National Health and Medical Research Council endorsed Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling: Managing Health and Environmental Risks (Phase 2): Augmentation of Drinking Water Supplies.

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

Environmental Management System

The Department has demonstrated commitment to the environment through its Environmental Management System, which was developed on the basis of AS/NZS 14001:1996. The Environmental Management System identifies key aspects of the Department’s core business that impacts on the environment, and provides for a range of measures to monitor and alleviate those impacts. In 2007–08, the Department’s key environmental impacts related to the consumption of energy and goods, as well as waste generated by staff in the course of business activities.

Figure 4.5.1: Central Office Energy Use, 2002 to 2008

Source: Department of Health and Ageing.

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

Measures to Reduce Energy Consumption

The Department’s Central Office experienced an overall increase in electricity usage attributed to increased accommodation demands of 1,598m² since 2006–07. When viewed in terms of units of electricity (kWH) per unit of leased office area (m²), there was an increase from 102.9 kWH per m² in 2006–07 to 105.6 kWH per m² in 2007–08.

The Department is in the process of securing new Central Office accommodation that will replace all leases in the Woden Town Centre, except for Scarborough House. The objective is to consolidate Central Office personnel into two main buildings (the new accommodation and Scarborough House) by the end of 2009–10.

In accordance with the Energy Use in the Australian Government’s Operations policy, the Department’s new building will be constructed and fitted out to meet a 4.5 star National Australian Built Environment Rating System rating. The Department recently received a 3.5 star rating for its Sydney office, and Scarborough House in Canberra scored a 4.5 star rating. Future plans are underway to rate the Department’s Melbourne and Brisbane offices. Top of page

Improving Environmental Credentials of Leased Vehicle Fleet

The Australian Government Pool Fleet has set Australian Government agencies with the 28 per cent target of leased/pool vehicles meeting the 10.5 rating of the Green Vehicle Guide. This is a voluntary target. The Department prefers to lease Green Vehicle Guide-compliant vehicles, and as of June 2008, approximately 81 per cent of the Department’s pool/leased fleet (comprising of 80 cars) achieved the Green Vehicle Guide rating.

The Department also promoted the use of E10 ethanol blend fuel, using approximately 314 litres over the past year, which is reflective of the limited availability of the fuel. As availability of E10 expands, the Department expects to increase the purchase of this fuel, further reducing the Department’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Table 4.5.1: Greenhouse Gas Reductions from Energy Use – Central Office 2002 to 2008

Central Office	2002-03	2003-04	2004-05	2005-06	2006-07	2007-08
Leased sq meters (per annum)	45,830	45,410	44,900	52,300	57,697	59,295
Energy use (kWh)	8,120,400	7,061,000	5,998,600	5,575,156	5,940,064	6,262,469
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (tonnes)#	7,999	6,955	5,791	5,161	6,344	5,726
Continuous annual reduction in GHG emissions	N/A	-1,044	-1,164	-630	+1,183	-618
% reduction in GHG emissions (per annum)	N/A	-13%	-17%	-11%	+18.6%	-10%
kWh per m2 of leased area	177.2	155.5	133.6	106.6	102.9	105.6

Source: Department of Health and Ageing.

# calculated using GHG calculator at <www.oscar.gov.au>.

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Expansion of Office Recycling to Reduce Waste Going to Landfill

The Department decreased the volume of paper it used and increased its recycling efforts; reducing the amount of waste that would otherwise have gone to landfill.

Table 4.5.2: Minimising Impact of Activities – Central Office 2007–08

Central Office	Volume		Environmental Impact Minimised
	2006-07	2007-08
Office paper recycled	178 tonnes	112.5 tonnes	One ton of recycled paper saves 1,678 kilograms of lumber and 108,960 litres of water. Using this as a basis for calculation, the Department saved over 188,808 kilograms of lumber and 12,285,000 litres of water. (Source: ‹www.oroloma.org›.)
Old mobile phones and batteries recycled	70 items	72 items	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: ‹www.archive.dcita.gov.au›.)
Used toner cartridges recycled	1,929 items	2,812 items	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 therefore reduces the demand for, and environmental impacts of, mining and manufacturing new materials. (Source: ‹www.planettark.org.au›.)
Commingle recycling	6.63 tonnes	14.36 tonnes	Manufacturing products from recycled materials not only reduces demand for new materials for manufacture and levels of harmful emissions reaching the atmosphere. It also saves energy, which in Australia is primarily generated through the burning of coal. (Source: ‹www2.mdbc.gov.au›.)
Cardboard recycling	15.5 tonnes	8.16 tonnes	Recycling one ton of cardboard saves over nine cubic yards of landfill space. The Department saved over 73.44 cubic yards of landfill space. (Source: ‹www.oroloma.org›.)
Organics	N/A	7.5 tonnes	Organic recycling diverts waste from landfill and greatly reduces production of greenhouse gases. This process provides a nutrient rich compost from putrescible waste that otherwise would have been lost to landfill. (Source: ‹www.anu.edu.au›.)

Source: Department of Health and Ageing.

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As of June 2008, 74 per cent of printing paper used by the Department comprised a component of recycled fibres and was manufactured using ecologically friendly processes (see Table 4.5.3). While the recycled paper used by the Department has a 50 per cent content of recycled fibres, the general qualities and archival longevity equal those of virgin paper.

Table 4.5.3: The Department’s Paper Consumption

Paper	2003-04	2004-05	2005-06	2006-07	2007-08
Total reams	92,040	63,200	68,036	81,779	79,910
% change in consumption	N/A	-31%	8%	20%	-2.3%
% white paper with recycled component	64%	66%	75%	73%	74%

Source: Department of Health and Ageing.

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Use of Recycled Office Products

The Department operated an Excess Stationery Store, providing staff with a central site where surplus office supplies could be dropped off and collected. By recycling stock in preference to the purchase 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.

Therapeutic Goods Administration Accreditation and Compliance

Throughout 2007–08, the Department’s Therapeutic Goods Administration continued to operate under its Environmental Management System. It also closely monitored energy trends and was proactive in the environmental disposal of items such as fluorescent tubes and laboratory waste. The Administration is currently finalising Environmental Management System accreditation and developing processes for the ongoing review of environmental management system practices to ensure continued compliance.

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 its 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 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.