Ecologically sustainable development and environmental performance
The department’s objective is to improve its environmental outcomes in accordance with the Energy Efficiency in Government Operations Policy while at the same time providing services of the highest quality.
The Treasury has in place an Environmental Management Plan which details its environmental policies and programs to meet its commitments under the Treasury Building Management Committee Green Improvement Agreement, to improve its environmental performance.
The Treasury actively participates in various environmental forums through the Australian Property Institute and Facilities Management Association of Australia. The Treasury participates in the annual Earth Hour.
Energy management
The Treasury is progressing with various energy savings initiatives, including a review of the tenancy lighting control system, the installation of solar film on windows and a trial of double glazed windows in selected areas of the tenancy.
Environmental initiatives already implemented include:
- the procurement of five star energy rated electrical appliances;
- installation of motion sensors to control lighting in areas such as conference rooms, meeting rooms and storage facilities;
- upgrading of lighting with new triphosphor light tubes, which use 45 per cent less energy; and
- a range of signage and intranet messages to encourage employees to minimise the department’s energy use.
The Treasury uses 10 per cent Greenpower in the Treasury Building. The percentage of green energy is determined by an existing Whole of Government procurement arrangement for electricity.
The Treasury used approximately 5,411 mega joules of electricity per person for office tenant light and power, below the Energy Efficiency in Government Operations Policy target of 7,500 mega joules per person per annum.
In 2012-13 total tenant light and power consumption was approximately 1,799,851 kilowatt hours.
Recycling
Comingled and organic recycling
All tenancy kitchens have been provided with waste recycling stations to facilitate a number of recycling streams (including commingled recycling, paper recycling facilities and organic waste). Staff are encouraged to sort waste appropriately in order to maximise recycling and minimise the disposal of waste to landfill.
During the 2012-13 reporting period the Treasury recycled 5.8 tons of commingled waste, 4.0 tons of used paper towel, and 4.8 tons of organic waste.
Paper recycling
The Treasury recycles paper and cardboard products. Classified waste paper is pulped and reused in the production of paper and cardboard products.
The Treasury also participates in the recycling of toner cartridges, fluorescent lighting tubes and batteries, and the department promotes the recycling of old mobile phones, donating them to charity.
Vehicles
In the 2012-13 financial year, the departmental fleet vehicles comprised three cars. During this period the fleet consumed approximately 1,625 litres of fuel and travelled an estimated total of 16,618 kilometres.
The department promotes and supports the biofuels / ethanol industry in Australia by using E10 blended fuel.
During the 2012-13 financial year departmental pool vehicles averaged a Green Vehicle Guide (GVG) of 14; the GVG rating combines air pollution and greenhouse ratings. The Treasury received four stars out of a possible five star rating.
Air Travel
Treasury employees are encouraged to minimise air travel and fleet vehicle usage. They are instructed to undertake travel only where there is a demonstrated business need. Telepresence, teleconferencing and videoconferencing are encouraged as alternatives.
Resource efficiencies
During the year the department deployed a pilot of ‘follow-me-print’, a secure printing facility that allows staff to print documents at any printer by authenticating themselves using a swipe card. ‘Follow-me-print’ automatically purges any print jobs not accessed within a set timeframe.
The use of automatic double-sided printing also reduces the amount of paper consumed. All employees are encouraged to consider ways to minimise printing.
In compliance with the Australian Government ICT Sustainability Plan 2010–2015, the department’s general-use office copy paper has a post-consumer recycled content of 50 per cent.
Water
Treasury uses a mix of different types of water flow restriction controls and water-efficient appliances in kitchens and toilets to minimise use across the Treasury Building tenancy.
Treasury Building tenancies are not metered separately for water consumption.