About this report
Commonwealth agencies must meet statutory annual reporting requirements under Section 516A of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act). Under the Act, government departments are to report annually on:
- how the agency's activities have aligned with the principles of Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD)
- identify how their departmental outcomes added to ESD
- report on their impacts on the environment and measures taken to minimise those impacts
- identify the review mechanisms they used to improve the effectiveness of their measures to minimise its impact on the environment.
Starting in the 2022–23 financial year, the department must report against the Australian Public Service (APS) Net Zero 2030 policy requirements. This policy is set by the government. It aims to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions across the Australian Public Service (APS) by 2030. For the baseline year, the mandatory reporting parameters include emissions generated from electricity, natural gas, fleet, and flights.
The 2023–24 emission sources include solid waste disposal, employee domestic business travel (hire car and accommodation) and refrigerants (optional for this reporting period).
The department no longer reports against the Australian Government's Energy Efficiency in Government Operations (EEGO) policy. This has been superseded by APS Net Zero reporting.
The department’s environmental performance for the 2023–24 financial year, in line with the above requirements, is summarised below.
Contribution of core business activities to ESD
Information about the department’s core business activities is in the annual report.
Operational environmental performance
Australian Public Service (APS) Net Zero 2030
APS Net Zero 2030 is the government’s policy for the Australian Public Service (APS). The policy aims to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2030, and transparently report on its emissions. As part of the Net Zero in Government Operations Strategy, non-corporate Commonwealth entities, corporate Commonwealth entities and Commonwealth companies must report on their operational greenhouse gas emissions.
The Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory shows greenhouse gas emissions over the 2023–24 period. Results are based on Carbon Dioxide Equivalent (CO2-e) emissions. Greenhouse gas emissions have been calculated in line with the APS Net Zero Emissions Reporting Framework. This is consistent with the Whole-of-Australian Government (WoAG) approach as part of the APS Net Zero 2030 policy. Not all data sources were available at the time of the report and amendments to data may be needed in future reports.
Reporting on refrigerants is optional for 2023–24. It will be phased in over time as emissions reporting matures.
Emissions reported using location-based approach (t CO2-e)
| Emission source | Scope 1 | Scope 2 | Scope 3 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity (location-based approach) | N/A | 8,121.450 | 683.309 | 8,804.759 |
| Natural Gas | 156.313 | N/A | 20.754 | 177.067 |
| Solid waste | N/A | N/A | 168.700 | 168.700 |
| Refrigerants | 0.000 | N/A | N/A | 0.000 |
| Fleet and other vehicles | 258.136 | N/A | 63.927 | 322.063 |
| Domestic commercial flights | N/A | N/A | 1,849.509 | 1,849.509 |
| Domestic hire car | N/A | N/A | 27.110 | 27.110 |
| Domestic travel accommodation | N/A | N/A | 897.051 | 897.051 |
| Other energy | 0.840 | N/A | 0.207 | 1.047 |
| Total t CO2-e | 415.289 | 8,121.450 | 3,710.567 | 12,247.306 |
Notes about this table:
- The table above presents emissions related to electricity usage using the location-based accounting method. CO2-e = Carbon Dioxide Equivalent.
- 'Solid wastes', 'domestic hire car' and 'domestic travel accommodation' are emission sources collected for the first time in 2023–24. The quality of data is expected to improve over time as emissions reporting matures.
- 'Refrigerants' are an optional emission source for 2023–24 emissions reporting.
- Stationary Fuels has been reclassified as 'Other Energy' for FY 23–24.
- Flights, accommodation, and car hire booked outside of WoAG arrangements have not been included as there is no available data.
- Domestic travel data may contain some reservations for non-reporting entity employees. While not in the scope of the APS Net Zero Emissions Reporting Framework, these emissions have been included as they were unable to be separated from the department's data.
- Commercial domestic flight data reported may contain some flights that were cancelled or not flown.
- Emissions from electricity consumed by electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles has only been reported for electricity directly bought by the department. Emissions associated with electricity consumption from public charging stations has not been reported for 2023–24.
Electricity emissions (t CO2-e)
| Emission source | Scope 2 | Scope 3 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity (Location Based Approach) | 8,121.450 | 683.309 | 8,804.759 |
| Market-based electricity emissions | 5,391.576 | 665.627 | 6,057.203 |
Note: the table above presents emissions related to electricity usage using the market-based accounting method. CO2-e = Carbon Dioxide Equivalent.
Percentage of electricity use per emission source
| Emission source | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Market-based electricity emissions | 56.22% |
| Total renewable electricity: | 43.78% |
|
(18.72%) |
|
(25.06%) |
Notes:
- Mandatory renewables are the portion of electricity consumed from the grid that is generated by renewable sources. This includes the renewable power percentage.
- Voluntary renewables reflect the eligible carbon credit units surrendered by the entity. This may include bought large-scale generation certificates, power purchasing agreements, GreenPower and the jurisdictional renewable power percentage (ACT only).
CSIRO Lindfield
The department collocates our National Measurement Institute (NMI) laboratory with CSIRO at Lindfield NSW, with CSIRO having operational control of the site. While we have previously reported on our portion of the emissions for this site, this reporting period CSIRO will report the complete emissions. This is because they sit in their National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Scheme (NGERS) boundary.
As Lindfield is our top emissions producing site, we are still capturing our emissions below. This is separate to the APS Net Zero tables, and we include these in our emissions reduction activities.
Emissions produced using location-based approach (t CO2-e)
| Emission source | Scope 1 | Scope 2 | Scope 3 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity (location-based approach) | N/A | 3,353.969 | 267.604 | 3,621.573 |
| Natural gas | 529.004 | N/A | 134.483 | 663.487 |
| Solid waste | N/A | N/A | 31.087 | 31.087 |
| Total t CO2-e | 529.004 | 3,353.969 | 433.174 | 4,316.147 |
Climate-related targets
The department is making contributions towards the government’s APS Net Zero by 2030 target. We are following the target in full, as per the Net Zero in Government Operations Strategy.
Emissions Reduction Plan
This year we published our first Emissions Reduction Plan (ERP). Our ERP sets out our planned activities to reduce emissions to net zero by 2030. It includes both planned and new initiatives to reduce emissions. The initiatives and targets in the ERP are signed off by the Secretary as the Accountable Authority. The department is also developing a range of interim goals and metrics to track our performance against the ERP and APS Net Zero 2030 target.
APS Net Zero targets
The department commenced reporting against the Net Zero in Government Operations targets in 2022-23 financial year, with emissions sources expanded for the 2023-24 period. Our 2023-24 emissions associated with the department’s portfolio wide operations will be reported in the Department of Finance Annual Progress Report. The department is focusing on better understanding our carbon footprint by undertaking an emissions accounting exercise.
Climate action
Chief Sustainability Officer
The department implemented a Chief Sustainability Officer role, endorsed by the Executive Board on 29 May 2024. It is a champion role that supports climate action in government operations, with the Chief Operating Officer filling this role. The Chief Sustainability Officer represents the department at the Department of Finance led Chief Sustainability Officer Network Forum. They engage with initiatives to support and improve sustainability efforts.
Emissions reduction
The department is aligning our carbon emissions reduction and offset strategy with the Net Zero in Government Operations policy and guidelines. Our emissions are concentrated across 5sites which together account for nearly 90% of the department’s total energy consumption. The department will prioritise these sites when considering emissions reduction measures.
Three of these sites are NMI laboratories that must operate 24 hours a day, 7 days per week due to sensitive and high value activities adds to the complexity of our operating environment.
Although emissions from CSIRO Lindfield were excluded due to their NGERS boundaries, the department continues to monitor the energy use at this site. It remains the largest energy consuming site in our portfolio, contributing nearly 38% of our total portfolio emissions. However, the site continues to achieve offsets through a 10-year renewable power purchase agreement established by CSIRO.
The department’s Canberra sites continue to benefit from the ACT Government’s carbon emissions reduction program. This results in nearly 93% of emissions being offset through the Renewable Power Purchase (RPP) and Joint Renewable Power Purchase (JRPP) programs.
Together, these offset mechanisms effectively offset approximately 53% of the total electricity associated emissions across our portfolio.
The department will continue work to identify measures to reduce our emissions. This includes energy audits at our top energy consuming sites and engaging with landlords to explore opportunities such as improved lighting efficiency and utilising roof space for solar PV installation.
Sustainable procurement
The department considers environmental sustainability as part of its value for money assessment In line with the requirements of the Commonwealth Procurement Rules. The department’s procurement guidance and communications have templates and support to help staff to do procurement sustainably.
The new Environmentally Sustainable Procurement Policy is included as one of the procurement related policies that all procurement officials must consider in determining value for money. Construction services above $7.5M is the first category under this policy to be reported on in 2023-24 financial year.
Fleet vehicles
The department is working towards the Net Zero in Government Operations fleet targets. The department’s current fleet consists of:
| Fuel type | Passenger | Light commercial | Heavy commercial | Total | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 2 | 59 | 6 | 67 | 67% |
| Hybrid (not plug in) | 27 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 27% |
| Premium unleaded | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1% |
| Unleaded | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 5% |
| Total | 35 | 59 | 6 | 100 | 100% |
| % | 35% | 59% | 6% | 100% | nil |
Due to the composition of the department’s fleet (with 65% commercial vehicles) we are implementing a plan to transition to low emissions for:
- passenger vehicles as new orders are placed
- light and heavy commercial vehicles (where options are available to meet business requirements).
The department has done feasibility studies on installing electric vehicle charging stations at 4of our sites to find the best approach to charge electric fleet vehicles.
Questacon
In 2023–24 Questacon started development of a Sustainability Action Plan. The plan will be introduced in 2024-25. It will be focussed on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The development process included an SDG mapping exercise and audit to assess Questacon's performance against its commitments to the SDGs.
Questacon is on target to meet its short-term emissions reduction targets. Our 2023-24 achievements include:
- ending Questacon’s reliance on gas by replacing:
- gas boilers with energy efficient electric heat pumps
- cafe gas cooking appliances with electric appliances
- increasing solar generating capacity by approximately 50% (60kW)
- improved energy efficiency in Questacon's foyer with installation of high-performance double glazing.
The above achievements have reduced Questacon's Scope 1 emissions by 75%.
In 2023-24 Questacon also renewed its ISO14001 environmental management system accreditation.
Questacon continues to:
- deliver experiences that promote better understanding of the environment and the science of climate change
- promote technologies that will contribute to a sustainable future
- reduce environmental impacts through energy efficiency and waste management improvements.
Waste reporting
The department continues its commitment to sustainable waste management by emphasising recycling. The department has successfully diverted 255.72 cubic meters of waste from landfills. This saving translates to:
- preserving 215 mature trees
- preventing the emission of 80 tonnes of CO2-e
- conserving 9,443 litres of oil
- removing the equivalent emissions of seven cars from the roads for an entire year.
The department cannot currently report on waste consumption volumes from all our tenancies. This is because waste management is managed by the landlord in multi-tenanted office spaces. As a result, we do not have visibility into the waste volumes generated at a tenancy level. The department will work with our Property Service Provider (PSP) to:
- identify advanced tools for waste data capture
- report at the tenancy level
- report on waste from tenancies in the future.
Earth Hour
Earth Hour is an international initiative that took place this year from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm on Saturday, 23 March 2024. The department demonstrated its commitment to climate action by encouraging participation across all state offices during this event.