Office-based environmental performance
The department aims to show leadership in sustainability in all its operations:
reducing greenhouse gas emissions, efficiently using water and energy and other
precious resources while responsibly managing waste.
The following section reports on environmental performance in compliance with Financial Reporting Direction
FRD24C ‘Reporting of Office-Based Environmental Data by Government Departments’.
Achievements for 2012–13 include:
• 9 per cent reduction in emissions from energy use
• 2660 less reams or 6.6 tonnes less paper used
• 12 per cent reduction in total energy used and emissions from passenger vehicles.
An office-based Environmental Management System (EMS) aims to minimise the use of energy, water and
paper, limit the generation of waste, improve the efficiency of the vehicle fleet and increase the use of sustainable
transport.
The Eco-Office Challenge program helps the EMS to educate, advise and encourage staff to improve their
environmental behaviours at work. About 90 volunteer Eco-Office Challenge Champions around the state
promote environmentally-friendly workplace behaviours. Each month, the champions focus on a new topic to
promote to staff, encouraging changes in behaviour to limit environmental impacts.
Energy use
Energy use is measured and reported for department buildings across the state, covering all locations and all
staff. Energy use for all energy types is measured in megajoules (MJ) by meters at each building location.
The primary measure of energy efficiency is energy intensity, expressed as megajoules of energy per building
floor area (MJ/m2). Energy intensity decreased by 12 per cent and total energy use decreased by 11 per cent.
Overall energy intensity for all buildings was 257 MJ/m2 for 2012–13.
The reduction in reported energy usage and emissions was affected by significant changes to the buildings
portfolio, including the Port Phillip Region vacating the Box Hill office, relocating many staff to 8 Nicholson Street
and taking up new accommodation at several regional sites.
Completing capital works at office/depots and depots around the state also impacted on total buildings area and
energy use patterns. The availability of more sub-metering
of electricity use at Bendigo resulted in exclusion of a greater portion of ‘non-department’ energy use. The full
benefits of lighting efficiency improvements at 570 Bourke Street also increased overall energy efficiency.
Energy-related greenhouse gas emissions
Greenhouse gas emissions decreased by 9 per cent
to 7285 tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2-e).
The lower emissions reflect both a reduction in energy
use and the contribution of green power purchases
(a zero-emissions source) to reduced emissions from electricity.
Table 1: Energy use indicators
Indicator
Comments
2008–09
2009–10
2010–11
2011–12
2012–13
Energy used per unit
of building space
(MJ/m2)
Energy intensity fell by 12%.
The buildings portfolio changed
significantly with consequent
effects from new space
allocations and reporting
adjustments.
303
304
304
292
257
Total buildings floor
area (m2)
All department managed
buildings, with floor areas
adjusted each year to match
actual occupancy.
143,630
138,812
137,891
137,926
138,869
Energy used per full
time employee
(MJ/FTE)
Energy use per FTE is 11% less
than last year.
14,961
15,182
14,768
17,173
15,239
Percentage of green
power bought (as
percentage of total
electricity used)
The percentage of green power
bought was maintained at
similar levels to 2011–12, by
purchasing 50% green power for
all large sites under the relevant
State Purchasing Contract.
28.5%
33.4%
31.1%
34.5%
31.4%
Cost of green power
($)
Green power cost is for green
power bought under the
Victorian Government State
Purchasing Contracts for
electricity.
$93,629
$112,563
$99,503
$142,356
$115,768
Total energy usage segmented by primary source
Electricity non-green
power (MJ)
The greenhouse emission factor
for Victorian electricity applies to
this energy component.
23,409,086
22,421,501
22,923,413
20,574,917
20,786,953
Electricity green
power (MJ)
Accredited green power bought
is a zero-emissions energy
source.
9,341,212
11,230,211
9,928,224
10,846,148
9,471,920
Electricity total use
(MJ)
Total electrical energy use has
reduced by 4% compared to
2011–12 and continues the
downwards trend of the last six
years.
32,750,298
33,606,102
32,851,637
31,421,065
30,258,873
Natural gas (MJ)
The bulk of natural gas use is for
heating at large regional sites
including Bendigo, Benalla,
Traralgon and Bairnsdale.
9,514,619
7,796,549
7,877,611
7,806,800
4,674,404
LPG (MJ)
LPG use is largely for heating of
buildings in regional locations.
1,122,028
844,859
1,144,507
1,067,315
823,382
Total energy all
sources (MJ)
Total energy use has trended
downwards over the last six
years.
43,386,945
42,293,120
41,873,755
40,295,180
35,756,659
Notes:
1. Total building area (m2) includes all energy-using buildings at all department administered sites. This is consistent with
energy reporting
in previous years and the requirements of Energy Efficient Government Buildings (government targets) reporting since
2001.
2. FTE used for 2012–13 calculations is 2350 FTE total at 30 June 2013.
Table 2: Total energy-related greenhouse gas emissions segmented by primary source
Indicator
Comments
2008–09
2009–10
2010–11
2011–12
2012–13
Electricity non-green power
(tonnes CO2-e)
The lower emissions reflect both a
reduction in total energy used and
the contribution of green power
purchases to reduced electricity
emissions.
8,778
8,408
7,705
7,544
6,987
Natural gas
(tonnes CO2-e)
Emissions from natural gas are due
to less natural gas use.
487
435
403
416
249
LPG (tonnes CO2-e)
Lower emissions are due to less
LPG use.
103
49
70
64
49
Total energy-related
emissions (tonnes CO2-e)
Total energy emissions fell by about
9% compared to last year.
9,368
8,892
8,178
8,024
7,285
Notes:
1. Energy emission factors used are the latest available from the federal Department of Climate Change, July, 2013.
2. Full fuel cycle emissions are used, including relevant factors for Victorian electricity and natural gas.
Water use
The department used a total of 22,414 kilolitres of water which is 2 per cent more than for 2011–12. Seasonal
variations contribute to overall water use, especially for water used in cooling towers at large office buildings.
Water is used for:
• domestic drinking, washing, cleaning and toilet flushing
• building heating and cooling systems (e.g. cooling towers)
• vehicle washdown (at depots).
Water conservation measures are included in new buildings, refits and renovations and as retrofits to sites
wherever practicable. These measures include:
• rainwater tanks
• dual flush and water efficient toilets
• flow restrictors and low-flow showerheads
• water efficient appliances.
Harvested rainwater is used as an alternative water source for toilet flushing and vehicle washdown at many
depots.
The department classifies sites into three categories: offices, office/depots and depots.
Total water use is shown below with use separated for each site category. In 2012–13, 63 per cent of water was
used
at offices, 32 per cent at office/depots and 5 per cent at depots.
Table 3: Water use summary
Site Category
Water use kilolitres
Percentage of total use
Number of sites
Office
22,414
63
23
Office/depot
11,219
32
33
Depot
1,929
5
23
Totals
35,562
100
79
Notes:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Includes all sites.
Data is from all locations where metered accounts for potable water use are available.
Some locations operate without reticulated town water supply e.g. river or tank water only.
For shared office tenancies, water use is calculated on a pro rata basis per floor area occupied.
Office water use is summarised in the tables below according to FRD24C requirements. This report covers all
locations where office-only water use is separately measured. Nineteen office locations accommodating 72 per
cent of FTE staff
were included.
Table 4: Office water – owned and leased buildings
Indicator
Comments
Litres per FTE
Litres per year
Total water volume is all office
water used at included sites, for
whole building use including
cooling towers.
Number of sites
Percentage of sites
Percentage of sites covered is
the number of sites included
divided by the total number of
department sites.
2008–09
2009–10
2010–11
2011–12
2012–13
8,027
9,637
9,653
9,667
11,488
13,216,438
23,893,000
23,703,000
21,943,000
22,414,000
13
24
23
20
19
15.7%
29.3%
29.1%
25%
24.1%
FTE covered
The sum of FTE count at
included sites at 30 June.
Percentage of total
FTE
The total FTE at included sites
divided by the department’s total
FTE at 30 June.
1,412
2,044
2,049
1,919
1,690
49%
73%
72%
73%
72%
Table 5: Office water use by building type
Building type
Indicator
Comments
Leased
buildings
Litres
per FTE
Total office water
consumption and total site
FTE count for included
sites.
Litres
per year
Total water volume is all
office water use at
included sites, for whole
building use including
cooling towers.
Number
of sites
Governmentowned
buildings
2008–09
2009–10
2010–11
2011–12
2012–13
9,233
11,339
12,270
12,795
12,827
10,880,528
19,929,000
20,721,000
19,846,000
17,357,000
6
14
13
13
11
Percentage
of sites
Percentage of sites
covered is the number of
sites included divided by
the total number of
department sites.
7.2%
17.1%
16.5%
13.8%
13.9%
FTE
covered
The sum of FTE count at
included sites at 30 June.
1,179
1,678
1,631
1,521
1,310
Percentage
of total FTE
Total FTE at included
sites divided by total FTE
at 30 June.
39%
60%
58%
58%
56%
Litres
per FTE
Data on owned sites not
available prior to 2007–08
4,991
5,493
3,889
4,827
8,996
Litres
per year
Total water volume is all
office water use at
included sites, for whole
building use including
cooling towers.
2,335,910
3,964,000
2,982,000
3,470,000
5,072,000
7
10
10
10
10
8.4%
12.2%
12.7%
11.3%
10.1%
Number
of sites
Percentage
of sites
Percentage of sites
covered is the number of
sites included divided by
the total number of
department sites.
FTE
covered
The sum of FTE count at
included sites at 30 June.
289
366
419
394
337
Percentage
of total FTE
The total FTE at included
sites divided by total FTE
at 30 June.
10%
13%
15%
15%
14%
Notes:
1. Office water use is reported for 19 sites, including large CBD offices at 8 Nicholson Street and 570 Bourke Street.
2. Consumption data prior to 2009–10 is not directly comparable with later years; with limited sites coverage due to
unavailability of data
at the time.
3. Water data is reported for all sites where separate metering is available for office-only use.
4. Water use calculations per FTE uses the total FTE occupying the site; made up of DEPI staff and Parks Victoria FTE where
they jointly occupy premises.
5. In shared tenancies, pro rata water use is calculated from total building use based on floor area ratio.
Paper use
Office paper use decreased with 2660 less reams or 7 per cent less paper bought. This represents an annual
saving of
6.6 tonnes of paper.
The efficiency of paper use is measured in reams per FTE per year. For 2012–13, 14.3 reams of paper was used
per FTE,
an increase of 3 per cent.
More than 75 per cent of all paper bought by the department had a higher than 75 per cent recycled content.
Table 6: Paper use
Indicator
Comments
2008–09
2009–10
2010–11
2011–12
2012–13
Total units of paper
used (reams)
The usage trend reflects efficiencies
gained in previous years, with some
correlation between paper use and
FTE count each year.
50,020
42,074
38,221
36,194
33,534
FTE
FTE at 30 June.
2,900
2,780
2,835
2,617
2,350
Units of paper used
per FTE (reams
per FTE)
A downward trend in paper use
efficiency seen over the previous
six years has slowed.
17.2
15.1
13.7
13.8
14.3
Units of paper used
per FTE (sheets per
FTE per day)
A downward trend in paper use
efficiency seen over the previous
six years has slowed.
34.6
30.3
27.5
27.7
28.6
Percentage 75–100%
recycled content copy
paper bought (%)
The proportion of high recycled
content paper bought has returned
to a historical high level, from
better uptake of the 80% recycled
copy paper.
69%
71%
77%
68.9%
75.3%
Percentage 50–75%
recycled content copy
paper bought (%)
This category comprises 50%
recycled content A4 papers
sourced primarily to cover ‘out of
stock’ periods of the preferred
‘Australian 80’ paper.
19%
18%
5%
7%
4%
Percentage 0–50%
recycled content copy
paper purchased (%)
This category is almost entirely A3
size and coloured A4 papers not
available with higher recycled
content.
12%
11%
18%
24%
20.4%
Percentage of white
A4 paper with >70%
recycled content (%)
The proportion of high recycled
content paper bought has returned
to a historical high level, from
better uptake of the 80% recycled
copy paper.
74.8%
76.5%
83.4%
74.4%
81.6%
Waste management
Waste management aims to achieve the best separation of waste streams to recycling, composting and landfill
for all locations. Special collections are made by ‘Green Collect’, a non-profit social enterprise and a commercial
polystyrene collection for the 8 Nicholson Street office.
Several regional office/depots improved their waste management by introducing ‘Eco Bins’, organics collection
and other innovative solutions.
Waste data for 2012–13 is based on waste audits conducted at five large sites: 8 Nicholson Street, 570 Bourke
Street, Bendigo, Benalla and Traralgon. These sites represent 60 per cent of FTE staff.
A high overall recycling rate of 90 per cent was achieved for the audited sites, compared with 85 per cent in
2011–12.
An estimated 171 tonnes of waste was diverted from landfill.
Emissions due to landfill waste were estimated at 4.9 tonnes CO2-e, representing a 50 per cent reduction on
emission levels for 2011–12.
Table 7: Waste production
Indicator
Comments
2008–09
2009–10
2010–11
2011–12
2012–13
Number of sites
audited
Five major sites were audited for
2012–13.
6
6
6
6
5
Total FTE at audited
sites
Includes other FTE at audited sites
1,939
1,942
1,928
1,567
1,572
Total FTE reported
Changes in FTE each year
contribute to the quantities of waste
reported.
2,900
2,780
2,836
2,617
2,350
Units of waste per FTE by destination
Landfill (kg/FTE/yr)
Combined values for all audited
sites in each year.
7.7
6.4
9
13.1
7.8
Compost (kg/FTE/yr)
Combined values for all audited
sites in each year.
10.5
10.5
19.1
13.1
10.7
Paper and cardboard
recycling (kg/FTE/yr)
Separate paper and cardboard
collections from 2011–12.
NA
NA
NA
48.84
47.13
Co-mingled recycling
(kg/FTE/yr)
Combined values for all audited
sites in each year.
64.7
50.5
55.6
10.2
14.9
83
67.5
83.7
85.3
80.5
Total waste
(kg/FTE/yr)
Total units of waste by destination
Landfill (kg/yr)
Waste to landfill is only 10 per cent
of total waste.
22,347
17,907
25,411
34,370
18,249
Compost (kg/yr)
Reduces emissions from the
decomposition of organics in
landfill.
30,576
29,119
54,263
34,335
25,058
Paper and cardboard
recycling (kg/yr)
A separate paper and cardboard
collection was introduced to some
sites in 2011–12.
NA
NA
NA
127,759
110,589
Co-mingled recycling
(kg/yr)
Recycling using a range of
available methods ensures that
most waste is not sent to landfill.
187,652
140,518
157,613
26,733
35,064
Total waste (kg/yr)
Total estimated waste quantity fell
by 15%.
240,575
187,543
237,287
223,197
188,961
Recycling rate
(% of total waste)
The consistently high recycling
rate reflects excellent waste
91%
90%
89%
85%
90%
management practices.
Greenhouse
emissions from waste
to landfill (tonnes
CO2-e)
Since 2011–12 landfill waste
emissions have been calculated
using an adjusted emission factor
based on the assessed organic
content of landfill waste from recent
audits.
24.8
17.9
22.9
9.3
4.9
Notes:
1. Waste data is derived from waste audits conducted at five sites, using a one-day (24 hour) sample with values extrapolated
based
on total reported FTE to estimate total waste quantities for a year.
2. Co-mingled recycling is a mixed recycling stream that can contain plastics, aluminium, steel packaging, composite paper
packaging, glass bottles, paper and cardboard.
Transport
Fleet
Energy used and associated emissions for passenger car travel fell by about 13 per cent in 2012–13. Kilometres
travelled decreased by 18 per cent.
Low-emission vehicles including hybrids, LPG cars and four-cylinder cars account for 67.5 per cent of the fleet.
Table 8: Passenger cars
Indicators
Comments
2008–09
2009–10
2010–11
2011–12
2012–13
Energy use from passenger
vehicles (GJ)
The total energy used for car
travel decreased by 13%
compared with last year.
18,384
18,445
15,191
15,115
13,186
Total associated greenhouse
gas emissions (tonnes CO2-e)
The total emissions from car
travel fell by 12%.
1,305
1,303
1,071
1,029
909
Associated greenhouse gas
emissions tonnes CO2-e per
1000 kilometres travelled
Passenger vehicles efficiency
declined slightly this year, with
average emissions per
kilometres travelled 8% higher
than in 2011–12. A higher
average fuel use for 6 cylinder
wagons and a much lower
proportion of use of LPG wagons
contributed to this change.
0.225
0.216
0.183
0.158
0.171
Total passenger vehicle trip
kilometres associated with
departmental operations (km)
The total distance travelled in
passenger cars fell by 18%.
5,799,107
6,038,365
5,848,988
6,512,473
5,308,495
Total unleaded fuel used by
passenger vehicles litres
Unleaded petrol use fell by 3%.
399,158
379,539
302,492
367,091
355,591
Percentage of passenger
vehicle fleet as low-emission
and LPG vehicles.
The proportion of low-emission
vehicles in the fleet remained
similar to 2011–12.
64.1%
72.9%
77.6%
68.5%
67.5%
2008–09
2009–10
2010–11
2011–12
2012–13
57
NA
NA
22
168
4
NA
NA
2
12
Associated greenhouse gas emissions tonnes CO2-e per 1000
kilometres travelled
0.246
NA
NA
0.195
0.213
Passenger vehicle trip kilometres associated with departmental
operations (km)
16,983
NA
NA
7,927
54,632
2
0
0
1
3
3,645
4,525
2,000
1,129
727
266
331
146
79
51
0.227
0.277
0.177
0.159
0.159
Note:
1. The above data includes Vic Fleet hire cars.
Table 9: Vehicle class
Indicators
4 cylinder less than 1.8 litre
Energy use from passenger vehicles (GJ)
Associated greenhouse gas emissions (tonnes CO2-e)
Number of vehicles in this class
4 cylinder over 1.8 litre
Energy use from passenger vehicles (GJ)
Associated greenhouse gas emissions (tonnes CO2-e)
Associated greenhouse gas emissions tonnes CO2-e per 1000
kilometres travelled
Passenger vehicle trip kilometres associated with departmental
operations (km)
1,172,202
1,194,803
824,059
494,826
318,448
39
40
23
12
12
11,470
10,468
9,561
8,728
7,293
800
722
662
586
499
0.248
0.221
0.201
0.157
0.188
3,226,337
3,262,703
3,294,566
3,744,184
2,656,412
139
127
37
80
80
1,361
1,548
2,017
3,885
3,878
99
113
147
270
270
0.128
0.122
0.129
0.161
0.149
778,202
930,733
1,142,294
1,679,797
1,816,434
43
47
60
85
85
Number of vehicles in this class
6 cylinder sedans and wagons
Energy use from passenger vehicles (GJ)
Associated greenhouse gas emissions (tonnes CO2-e)
Associated greenhouse gas emissions tonnes CO2-e per 1000
kilometres travelled
Passenger vehicle trip kilometres associated with departmental
operations (km)
Number of vehicles in this class
Hybrid cars
Energy use from passenger vehicles (GJ)
Associated greenhouse gas emissions (tonnes CO2-e)
Associated greenhouse gas emissions tonnes CO2-e per 1000
kilometres travelled
Passenger vehicle trip kilometres associated with departmental
operations (km)
Number of vehicles in this class
Note:
1. The data by vehicle class accounts for department fleet vehicles only and excludes Vic Fleet hire cars use.
Table 10: Passenger fleet composition
Year
2008–09
2009–10
2010–11
2011–12
2012–13
Count
Percentage
of total
Count
Percentage
of total
Count
Percentage
of total
Count
Percentage
of total
Count
Percentage
of total
Hybrid
43
19.3%
47
22%
60
36.4%
85
47.8%
76
47.5%
LPG
59
26.5%
69
32.2%
45
27.3%
24
13.5%
18
11.3%
4 cylinder
cars
41
18.4%
40
18.7%
23
13.9%
13
7.3%
14
8.8%
Other
vehicles
80
35.9%
58
27.1%
37
22.4%
56
31.5%
52
32.5%
Total
223
100%
214
100%
165
100%
178
100%
160
100%
Low emission
and LPG cars
143
64.1%
156
72.9%
128
77.6%
122
68.5%
108
67.5%
Note:
1. Hybrid cars account for 47.5 per cent of the passenger vehicle fleet.
Air travel
Staff air travel covers all domestic and international flights and associated greenhouse gas emissions.
Table 11: Air travel distance and emissions
Indicator
Greenhouse emissions associated with air travel
(tonnes CO2-e)
Distance travelled by air (km)
2008–09
2009–10
2010–11
2011–12
2012–13
1,040
975
800
685
446
3,338,632
3,141,250
2,824,560
2,394,013
1,519,398
Notes:
1. Air travel data is sourced from FCM Travel reports.
2. Variation in the total distance travelled by air is directly attributable to necessary operational demands and available
transport modes.
Staff travel
The annual Staff Travel survey measures how staff travel to and from the workplace. The 2012–13 survey was
conducted
in October 2012, attracting 692 responses or 30 per cent of FTE.
Reported sustainable travel modes to and from work were at a high rate of 75.6 per cent.
Melbourne CBD staff reported the highest use of sustainable travel at 92.6 per cent. The availability of several
public transport options enables this high rate to be achieved each year.
The lower use of sustainable travel modes for metropolitan and regional staff reflects limited public transport
options and high reliance on car travel in regional Victoria. Despite this, sustainable travel in regional locations is
gradually increasing.
Table 12: Staff travel modes
Indicator
Units Comments
2008–09
2009–10
2010–11
2011–12
2012–13
Percentage of employees regularly (>75% of work attendance days) using public transport, cycling, walking, or car pooling to and
from work or working from home, by locality type
Whole of
department
%
A high overall use of sustainable transport
modes is continuing across the department.
78
82.8
77
74.2
75.6
CBD sites
%
The availability of public transport means
higher use of sustainable travel modes at
CBD locations.
89.8
85.9
93.5
92.8
92.6
Metropolitan
sites
%
Higher rates of car use apply at metropolitan
locations due to less public transport
options.
65.5
56.5
63.2
58.7
67.5
Regional sites
%
Sustainable travel for regional sites is
gradually increasing despite limited public
transport options.
27.1
26.8
33
35.6
36.9
Note:
1. Data is obtained from the annual Staff Travel Survey. The 2013 survey attracted 692 responses.
Sustainable purchasing
The department has incorporated sustainable purchasing principles into its procurement policies. The Accredited
Purchasing Unit ensures that sustainability considerations are included in the planning procurement stage, tender
specifications and in tender evaluation criteria where applicable.