2. Leadership by example

2.1 Carbon-neutral government buildings

A priority action under Action Plan 1 of Weathering the Change (2007-2011) is to pursue carbon neutrality in ACT government buildings (including schools, hospitals, shopfronts and other Government facilities). This will require agencies to undertake projects to offset their remaining emissions, as well as report annually on their progress.

This action will address emissions arising from energy use, water, waste and travel by staff and will require agencies to undertake projects to offset their remaining emissions. The initiative will be introduced in stages, to allow for training and learning.

The ACT Government now requires all its agencies to use the Online System for Comprehensive Activity Reporting (OSCAR) to report energy consumption and then implement reduction measures. There have also been energy audits of 17 government buildings - both Government-owned and leased buildings - which have highlighted opportunities to improve the energy efficiency of ACT government operations.

2.2 ACT Government Energy Efficiency Fund

To help government agencies to achieve carbon neutrality in government buildings, the Government has established the Energy Efficiency Fund for ACT Government Agencies, established under the ACT Climate Change Strategy, aims to help. The Government has allocated $1 million to fund energy efficiency improvements, subject to an audit and business case. The savings made by agencies from the improvements will be used to repay the fund, which will be drawn again, to fund further improvements by other agencies.