2. Leadership by example

2.1 Energy Efficiency in Government Operations

Energy Efficiency in Government Operations (EEGO) aims to improve energy efficiency, and consequently reduce the whole of life cost and environmental impact of Government operations, including the buildings it owns and leases.

First introduced in 2006, EEGO progressively improves agency energy performance through annual energy intensity reporting and minimum efficiency requirements. It is also planned to expand EEGO to other sustainability outcomes such as water conservation and waste reduction.

EEGO comprises three major elements:

• Annual reporting of energy performance by Government departments and agencies;
• Portfolio energy-intensity targets by 201; and
• Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) for office buildings, appliances, vehicles.

Key features of EEGO include:

• By the financial year 2011-2012, Australian Government agencies should achieve the energy intensity targets for office buildings of 7,500 Megajoules (MJ)/person/annum for office tenant light & power; and 400 MJ/m2/annum for office central services.
• All new office buildings, major refurbishments and new leases over 2,000m2 should have a minimum energy performance rating of 4.5 stars on the National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS). Some exceptions apply, such as for heritage-listed buildings and those with specific security requirements. Tenancies less than 2000m2 or leased for under 2 years require efficient lighting and separate metering only.
• EEGO actively engages all stakeholders through industry workshops and energy forums and assists them to identify the whole of life and environmental benefits of adopting energy efficiency initiatives.
• Daily support for agencies is available through a help desk function to clarify reporting requirements, energy efficiency advice and technical issues.

2.2 Green Lease Schedule

To help government departments and agencies to comply with requirements on Australian Government buildings' energy performance, the Government has developed Green Lease Schedules (GLS) that contain mutual obligations for tenants and owners of of?ce buildings to achieve efficiency targets.

Where a Government agency or statutory body covered by EEGO (Energy Efficiency in Government Operations) enters into a new lease for office space that is larger than 2000m2, for a term of more than two years, it is a requirement under EEGO that a Green Lease Schedule be included with the lease.

A Green Lease Schedule forms part of the lease and is designed to provide an effective legal and management mechanism for building tenants and owners to maximise the energy efficiency potential of their buildings in a collaborative manner.

Where applicable, a Green Lease Schedule needs to stipulate a NABERS Energy rating of at least 4.5 Stars Energy (exclusive of GreenPower) for both the Base Building and Tenancy, where between 50 per cent and 100 per cent of the building is occupied, or 4.5 Stars Tenancy where less than 50 per cent of the building is occupied. Where leases do not meet these requirements a formal Green Lease Schedule exception from the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency will need to be sought.

2.3 Environmental Purchasing Guide and Checklists

The Environmental Purchasing Guide and Checklists provide voluntary guidance to purchasers in the Australian Government regarding the consideration of relevant energy and environmental issues in procurement decision making. The aim is to reduce volumes of waste sent to landfill, meet or exceed the energy efficiency targets of the Australian Government's energy policy, and reduce the amount of water used in government operations.

The Guide requires that the value for money of a good or service be considered on a basis of whole-of-life costing.

The checklists cover a range of key goods and services procured by the Australian Government, including building management and tenant property services. The Building Management Services checklist suggests environmental criteria that would generally be considered together with price, quality and other purchasing criteria, in accordance with Commonwealth Procurement Guidelines and Best Practice Guidance. The checklist also provides tips for purchasers and users and links to further information. Purchasers may choose to amend the criteria and specifications to meet their own requirements.

2.4 Water efficiency guide: office and public buildings

The Australian Government, with the governments of Queensland, NSW, the ACT, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia, have developed a guide for improving the water efficiency of office buildings and public buildings.

The guidelines provide an introduction to the technical and behavioural opportunities that exist in office and public buildings for reducing water consumption and increasing water reuse. Experience has shown that savings of between 30-40% are often achievable in these buildings. The guidelines will be useful for building managers, owners, tenants and maintenance staff.

The guide also includes national water intensity benchmarks for office buildings and public buildings. These benchmarks have been developed from a national sample of building water consumption. For office buildings, the average water consumption was found to be 1.125 kL/m² per year, with best practice being 0.5 kL/m² per year. The benchmark set has been expressed using the same scoring methodology and 1-5 rating scale as the National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS) and the Australian Building Greenhouse Rating (ABGR) scheme.