APPENDIX C: ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE
ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE
Section 516A of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 requires Commonwealth agencies to report annually on their contribution to the principles of ecologically sustainable development (ESD) and the measures taken to minimise their effect on the environment.
The ESD principles are set out in section 3A of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
HOW ADMINISTERED PROGRAMS ACCORD WITH ESD PRINCIPLES—SECTION 516A(6)(A)
In 2017–18 the department administered the programs of Centrelink, Medicare and Child Support in accordance with the principles of ESD.
Fundamental considerations in administering these programs are the economic, environmental, equity and social consequences in short-term and long-term decision-making.
HOW OUTCOME 1 CONTRIBUTED TO ESD PRINCIPLES —SECTION 516A(6)(B)
In 2017–18 the department continued to contribute to the principles of ESD in delivering efficient and convenient services. Departmental activities that made a direct contribution to ESD included:
- increasing the number of online self services
- improving the functionality of Express Plus mobile apps
- operating mobile service centres that visit regional and rural communities
- exploring new ways of providing digital services through a technology innovation centre.
EFFECT OF ACTIVITIES ON THE ENVIRONMENT —SECTION 516A(6)(C)
To assess the risk of its activities affecting the environment, the department uses the international standard Risk Management ISO 31000:2009 and the Standards Australia handbook Managing environment-related risk HB203:2012. The department manages activities that pose the most significant risk through the department’s environmental management system, which aligns with the international standard EMS ISO 14001:2015.
In general, activities that most affect the environment are those that consume considerable resources and generate significant waste. They include:
- building operations and refurbishments
- use of information and communications technology
- use and disposal of stationery supplies, including paper
- operating vehicles.
Units |
2015–16 |
2016–17 |
2017–18 |
|
Stationary energy (electricity and gas) |
gigajoules |
348 291 |
314 400 |
n/a(a) |
Transport energy (fuels) |
gigajoules |
27 148 |
25 356 |
n/a(a) |
Total energy use |
gigajoules |
375 439 |
339 756 |
n/a(a) |
Internal paper use |
tonnes |
729 |
682 |
571 |
Letters to customers(b) |
A4 sheets |
67 591 799 |
80 617 954 |
89 212 087 |
Property use |
square metres |
731 977 |
727 161 |
722 799 |
(a) Stationary and transport energy reporting for 2017–18 was unavailable prior to finalising the annual report. The department’s energy reporting is in line with the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007.
(b) Paper procured by the department and letters printed by an external print provider.
Measure |
2015–16 |
2016–17 |
2017–18 |
|
Net greenhouse gas emissions—energy use |
tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents |
92 365 |
83 231 |
n/a(a) |
Office copy paper recycling |
% coverage (square metres) |
98 |
98 |
98 |
Commingled recycling |
% coverage (square metres) |
20 |
20 |
22 |
Mobile phone recycling |
kilograms |
262 |
98 |
146 |
Fluorescent and other lamps recycled |
units |
3 747 |
3 722 |
6 334 |
(a) Stationary and transport net greenhouse gas emissions for 2017–18 is unavailable prior to finalising the annual report. The department’s energy reporting is in line with the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007.
MEASURES TAKEN TO MINIMISE THE EFFECT OF ACTIVITIES ON THE ENVIRONMENT—SECTION 516(6)(D)
The department’s Environmental Sustainability Policy (available at humanservices.gov.au) is used to minimise the effect of activities on the environment and to drive better practice, performance and accountability.
The department assesses any proposed environmental initiative or measure by conducting a cost–benefit analysis that includes other business benefits associated with the initiative.
Activity |
Measures |
Air travel |
|
Building operations |
|
ICT |
|
Management and communication |
|
Motor vehicle travel |
|
Stationery (including paper) |
|
MECHANISMS TO REVIEW AND INCREASE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THOSE MEASURES—SECTION 516 (6)(E)
In 2016–17 the department continued to enhance governance processes to review and report environmental performance. Table 86 below outlines the department’s performance against the Energy Efficiency in Government Operations policy targets.
Measures |
Target |
Actual 2015–16 |
Actual 2016–17 |
Actual 2017–18(a) |
Office—tenant light and power (megajoules per person) |
7 500 |
4 711 |
4 853 |
n/a |
Office—central services (megajoules per square metre) |
400 |
331 |
326 |
n/a |
(a) Stationary energy reporting for 2017–18 was unavailable prior to finalising the annual report. The department’s energy reporting is in line with the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007.
Visit
https://www.transparency.gov.au/annual-reports/department-human-services/2018/part-8-appendices/appendix-c-environmental-performance