Mitigation measures and methods for reviewing effectiveness
The measures undertaken by the department during 2018–19 to minimise the effects of its operational activities on the environment and the mechanisms for monitoring and reviewing the effectiveness of measures to reduce impacts, are outlined below, in accordance with the requirements of EPBC Act section 516A 6d and e.
Office and building energy efficiency
Total energy
The department’s total portfolio annual energy consumption (this includes transport and stationary energy sectors, i.e. passenger vehicles, offices, public buildings, laboratories, warehouses and data centres) in 2018–19 decreased 4% to 70,073 GJ. The decrease is mainly due to the reduction in overall leased area, reduced on-site server usage along with a decrease in passenger vehicle km and fuel usage.
Stationary energy consumption had a 2% reduction compared to 2017/18 which was as a result of the reduced leased area, server decommissioning and decreased electricity usage.
The department will focus on achieving outcomes from the laboratory energy audit commissioned in 17/18. This is an ongoing priority as it has enabled the identification of energy efficiency initiatives which will continue into 2019–20.
Energy intensity
The MJ/FTE for tenant light and power has improved from 4,353 MJ/FTE to 3,658 or a reduction of 16%, in line with the increased FTE count.
Emissions and green power
Stationary energy emissions had a 2% reduction which is in line with the similar reduction in stationary energy consumption noted above. There are 5 small sites that are currently purchasing 25% green power totalling 22 GJ which is an increase of 16% on 17/18.
EEGO minimum energy performance standards (MEPS)
The energy performance of the property portfolio is rated using the National Built Environment Rating System (NABERS) for offices. The department strives to occupy office buildings and tenancies that are designed to achieve the EEGO Policy’s minimum energy performance standard of at least 4.5 stars.
Main office tenancy
The Building Management System (BMS) at the department’s main tenancy, Industry House in Canberra received a software update during 2017-18, this has seen improvements in energy analysis and energy performance reporting during the current reporting period. A lighting audit has also been commissioned during the current period and this will see further improvements at this tenancy.
Earth Hour
The department participated nationally in Earth Hour on 30th March 2019, to promote greenhouse emission awareness and to review lighting system operations.
Continual improvement
The department continues to monitor environmental performance and will work with its Property Service Provider, Evolve FM, to improve its processes and reporting via the dedicated online ESP portal
ICT sustainability
End user computer environment:
The department has updated the majority of monitors for staff. This has resulted in the lowering of the desktop energy per end user as the new monitors are more energy efficient that the older models. The VDI model has changed to a hosted server model meaning the sessions persist through the night and therefore no desktops are shutdown. These servers are hosted on new hardware however which will lower the data centre power usage as a result.
Main data centre and data rooms
The power use effectiveness (PUE) for the main data centre and data rooms remained at 1.65 for 2018–19.
Other improvements in 2018–19 included:
- the replacement and installation of the racks which are currently being used for networking equipment
- removal of 90% of all underfloor copper and fibre cables to increase airflow efficiency.
Performance of public buildings: Questacon
Questacon is actively supporting the United Nations’ Sustainability Development Goals and is exploring opportunities to link core science communication activities with environmental awareness initiatives.
Other highlights include :
- waste to landfill was 38% lower in 2018/19 when compared with 2017/18
- the Questacon Sustainability Group continues to promote awareness of environmental and sustainability issues at Questacon
- following a waste audit in June 2018, Questacon introduced a number of initiatives including a Container Deposit Scheme collection system and waste management changes to reduce organics sent to landfill.
Procurement of goods and services
In line with the requirements of the Commonwealth Procurement Rules, the department considers environmental sustainability as part of its value for money assessment. The department’s procurement and grants toolkit provides templates and guidance to assist staff on undertaking procurement sustainably. The department maintains one hundred percent usage of recycled paper for general use office copy paper.
Transport energy - vehicles
Transport energy reported by the department relates to two types of fleet vehicles used: passenger vehicles (less than 3.5 tonnes) and other vehicles (larger than 3.5 tonnes). Total transport energy decreased 21%, resulting in a 19% reduction in transport related emissions.
Passenger vehicles
Passenger vehicles continue to account for 87% of the department’s transport energy use. Energy use decreased by twenty six per cent and distance travelled decreased by twenty percent, which can be attributed to the return of AAO (Australian Astronomical Observatory) and EVS (Executive Vehicle Scheme) vehicles which have not been replaced. The energy intensity (i.e., energy consumption per kilometre travelled measured in MJ/km) decreased by one per cent from 3.21 to 3.18 in 2018–19 which was effected by the decrease in distance travelled.
Other vehicles
In 2018–19 the department reported a total energy use of 690 GJ within the other transport category, which accounted for 13% of total transport energy use. The number of department vehicles larger than 3.5 tonnes remained at seven in 2018–19, but they consumed less diesel fuel compared to 2017–18 due to lower mileage.
