Ecologically sustainable development and environmental performance

Appendix G

Section 516A of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act) requires Australian Government organisations to include in their annual reports; the organisation’s contribution to Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD).

The Commission does not administer any legislation or have any appropriations directly related to these issues, and, accordingly, the Commission’s involvement relates to practices that can improve energy management and environmental practices within the Commission.

The Commission has in place an Environmental Management System (EMS), which provides a formal structure to allow the Commission to identify and manage environmental risk and improve environmental performance for the central office in Canberra.

The Commission already has in place a:

practice of ensuring that, where operationally viable, energy efficient equipment is purchased and that energy efficient practices with regard to such equipment is implemented;
paper and cardboard recycling arrangements;
purchasing of remanufactured toners for 80% of its printers;
recycling of 80% of its printer toners; and
basic education program that advertises energy efficient and environmentally friendly practices.

During 2005–06 the Commission continued the:

use of recycled paper (60% recycled content) for the majority of its daily printing and copying needs on a National basis
recycling of plastics, glass, aluminium and steel in the Canberra office.

The Commission will continue to demonstrate its commitment to ecologically sustainable development and environmental performance through the:

successful implementation of energy conservation programs
evaluation of the feasibility of incorporating the principles of ecologically sustainable development into daily operations where appropriate, including business plans, purchasing, leasing arrangements and office accommodation practices
fostering of an environmentally responsible culture throughout the Commission by the involvement and awareness of persons working for or on its behalf
keeping abreast of Australian Government, State and Territory environmental legislation, regulations, policies, initiatives and other requirements which relate to the Commission’s environmental aspects and implementing processes to manage these responsibilities.