Government buildings
Energy efficiency in government operations
The Australian Government takes its role as a leader on energy efficiency seriously.
The Australian Government is focused on improving sustainability by:
- more energy efficient government buildings;
- strong policy on energy efficiency in government;
- annual whole-of-government reporting on energy use;
- committing Australian, state and territory governments to proposed legislation requiring commercial office buildings to provide energy efficiency information when selling or leasing;
- leading the way in the use of green leases;
- developing a whole of government ICT sustainability policy; and
- encouraging environmental performance reporting and the use of environmental management systems.
The National Strategy on Energy Efficiency heralds a new era of cooperation between Australia, state and territory governments.
National Strategy on Energy Efficiency - COAG, July 2009
The strategy has committed to reducing travel related to government business through the use of video conferencing, improving sustainability in procurement and energy performance contracting, developing a national green lease policy and developing a national framework for sustainable government office buildings.
Policy and reporting
Energy Efficiency in Government Operations aims to improve energy efficiency, and consequently reduce the whole of life cost and environmental impact of Government operations.
Energy Efficiency in Government Operations Policy
The policy comprises three major elements:
- Annual reporting of energy performance by agencies;
- Portfolio energy intensity targets by 2011; and
- Minimum energy performance standards for office buildings, appliances, vehicles.
While the focus is on energy, other sustainability outcomes such as water conservation and waste reduction can be integrated into this framework in the future.
Annual reports on energy use in the Australian Government's operations
Energy efficiency disclosure
Owners of Australia's large commercial office buildings will be required to provide energy efficiency information to potential buyers or lessees from 1 November 2010, under the Commercial Building Disclosure program.
Find out more about the Commercial Buildings Disclosure program.
Green leases
The Australian Government has led the way in the use of green leases introducing Green Lease Schedules in 2006 as a key component to the Energy Efficiency in Government Operations policy.
Green leases are an innovative management mechanism to enable tenant and building owner to monitor and meet a building's energy target annually.
The Australian Government has made all its green lease schedule templates and supporting documents available below to encourage the uptake of green leases and will tighten standards as part of an update to the Energy Efficiency in Government Operations policy.
Forms and templates