2. Leadership by example
2.1 Government buildings and green lease schedule
To demonstrate leadership by reducing the Government's own greenhouse gas emissions, the Tasmanian Government has applied the results from a whole-of-government emissions audit undertaken in 2008 to ensure targeted and accelerated actions.
As part of this audit, energy efficiency audits were undertaken on 25 key Government buildings. The audits found emissions associated with energy consumption amounted to 4,100 tonnes of CO2-e per year. Heating, ventilation and air conditioning generated nearly half of energy emissions (46%) with lighting (28) and other equipment (appliances and lifts - 26%) accounting for the remainder.
All Government agencies are now required to prepare Emissions Reduction Plans and report on their progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from various sources including buildings, in their annual reports.
As part of the Tasmanian Government's commitment to the Council of Australian Government's National Strategy on Energy Efficiency, Tasmanian Government agencies are now required to meet minimum sustainability standards for government office buildings outlined in the National Framework for Sustainable Government Office Buildings. A related initiative is the preparation of green lease schedules for leased government buildings.
In 2010, construction was undertaken of the Government's first zero carbon building, the Bruny Island Community Health Centre
2.2 Partnership agreement with Local Government on climate change
The 2008 Statewide Partnership Agreement on Climate Change between the State Government and the Local Government Association of Tasmania has been implemented, with the majority of actions now complete. As a result of the Agreement, the following outcomes were achieved:
- a carbon emissions baseline was established for the local government sector for the year 2009-10;
- Tasmania became the first Australian state or territory to have baseline data for 100 per cent of councils and State Government agencies; and
- climate change action plans were developed and implemented by all councils to assist with reducing GHG emissions.
A new Partnership Agreement is currently being negotiated.
2.3 Procurement Policy
As a result of a review of the Tasmanian Government's procurement policies, Government agencies must now ensure that the impact of climate change is included in the evaluation criteria for all major purchases of goods and services and is taken into consideration in the selection of goods and services for all minor purchases of relevant goods and services.
Climate change considerations must also be taken into account in the planning, design, specifications, construction, operation and ongoing maintenance of all relevant major building and construction projects; and ensure that evaluation criteria for the selection of consultants and contractors to deliver major building and construction works include consideration of their commitment to and capacity to deliver effective climate change outcomes.
The Government has noted that climate change criteria could include the supplier's level of commitment and capacity to deliver positive climate change outcomes, or consideration of the carbon emissions in the production and/or utilisation of a product or in the delivery of a service. Where relevant, climate change impacts should be considered over the full life cycle of the product, from production, delivery, use and disposal.
2.4 Planning and infrastructure
Climate change considerations are being integrated into the State Government's north-west, north, south and east coast regional planning initiatives, that are underway.
The Government also provided financial support for the extension of the Climate Futures for Tasmania Project to include infrastructure. The ClimateAsyst tool has been developed to communicate climate change projections and potential impacts and risks for infrastructure. The ClimateAsyst tool is currently being distributed to infrastructure managers around the state.
