The Government's policy, Energy Efficiency in Government Operations (EEGO) Policy, requires the preparation of an annual whole-of-government report on the total energy use and estimated greenhouse gas emissions of Australian Government departments and agencies. The reporting process is subject to public scrutiny through tabling of the report in Parliament.
Reports from 1997 to 2005 reflect the previous policy, Measures for Improving Energy Efficiency in Commonwealth Operations.
2008-2009 Report
Energy reporting for the Australian Government is key to helping all agencies understand their impact and opportunities for improvements.
Government energy efficiency in its office tenancies continues to improve. A significant number of agencies now demonstrate outstanding energy efficiency in their office spaces:
- Since 2000, the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) has reduced its energy use per person by a staggering 65 per cent.
- They now perform over 40 percent better than the current policy target.
- Three years ago, AusAID moved into a new 4.5 star building which features chilled beam cooling technology, 100 per cent fresh air and natural lighting, and collects its storm water for use in toilets and surrounding gardens.
- Centrelink has halved its energy use per person since 2000, and outperforms the current policy target by 20 per cent.
- Between December 2005 and June 2009, Centrelink implemented Energy Conservation Measures Program in 295 office sites, focused on lighting efficiency and time of use measures.
- This saves Centrelink 10.3 million kWh of electricity every year.
The National Health and Medical Research Council is performing at almost 30 per cent better than the current policy target.
- A range of initiatives to cut energy use at the NHMRC include: reducing the number of printers and centralising electrical equipment; maximising natural light within floors; a 'night purge' function on the air-conditioning system and a new lighting efficiency program.
This report finds that between 2007–08 and 2008–09, the Australian Government on average improved its energy efficiency in the following categories of energy use:
- Law courts saw an eight per cent improvement in energy efficiency.
- Laboratories saw a 14 per cent improvement in energy efficiency.
- Office tenant light and power saw a one per cent improvement in energy efficiency.
- Energy intensity in the passenger vehicles and other buildings categories also reduced slightly.
Other performance highlights include:
- In 2008–09, 73 per cent of eligible new leases contained a legally binding green lease schedule, setting requirements for environmental performance. Of these, over 80 per cent contain the requirement for a NABERS Energy rating of 4.5 stars or higher.
- The Government's purchase of clean energy continues to increase, with a 15 per cent increase in the uptake of Greenhouse Friendly Electricity and accredited Greenpower.
There is always more to be done and the Australian Government is focused on:
- base building energy use in office buildings, iconic and public buildings;
- the sustainability of IT equipment and data centres;
- reducing travel related to government business through the use of video conferencing;
- providing guidance and assistance to agencies struggling to meet current targets; and,
- developing sustainable procurement practices.
In addition, because the Government leases over 90 per cent of its office space from the private sector, it has been instrumental in developing green leasing principles for its own operations. The Commonwealth green lease schedule has been used as the foundational concept that all state and territory governments have modelled in implementing the recently agreed national green lease policy under the national strategy on energy efficiency.
More detailed information is available in the below Agency and Portfolio databases:
Previous reports
2007–2008 Report
2006–2007 Report
2005–2006 Report
2004–2005
2003–2004
2002-2003
2001-2002
1999-2000
1998-1999
1997-1998