2. Leadership by example

2.1 NSW Government Sustainability Policy

The NSW Government Sustainability Policy, introduced in mid-2008, sets targets and strategies for the NSW Government to lead by example in sustainable water use, reducing greenhouse gas emissions from building energy, fleet management, sustainable purchasing and reducing waste. The Policy provides an important step for the Government to meet its commitment of becoming carbon-neutral by 2020. The Policy shows leadership by example and encourages NSW businesses and households to undertake more sustainable practices.

The Policy includes State-wide targets for government agencies to:

• return to greenhouse gas emissions from building energy use to 2000 levels of 1.5 million tonnes by 2019-2020, with an interim target of 1.59 million tonnes by 2016-2017;
• reduce potable water consumption by 15% by 2010-2011 (from 2005/06 levels); and
• purchase a minimum 6% GreenPower, with the exception of the Area Heath Services.

In relation to buildings, the Policy states that:

• Government-owned or tenanted office buildings over 1,000 square metres are to:

1. obtain a NABERS rating by 31 December 2008;
2. achieve and maintain a NABERS rating of 4.5 stars for energy and water by 1 July 2011, where cost-effective;
3. where new or refurbished, achieve and maintain 2011 targets from 18 months of the first occupancy, where cost-effective.

• Tenanted buildings to include a Green Lease Schedule in all new or negotiated leases, or when exercising a lease option, where practical.
• NABERS targets for waste and indoor environment are currently being established.

An important feature of the NSW Government Sustainability Policy is a streamlined reporting requirement. For budget-dependent agencies that operate predominantly in office buildings, their water and energy use will be reported centrally by the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water (DECCW). Small agencies with less than 200 staff will report every three years on their water and energy use, as well as on waste and purchasing. Other agencies will also report annually to DECCW on water and energy, annually on fleet, and biennially on waste and purchasing.