Our environmental policy
Our policy is designed to maximise our environmental stewardship, including:
- Being environmentally responsible
- Complying with relevant environmental legislation, regulations and other requirements
- Incorporating environmental best practice into our core management processes
- Using resources efficiently, including reusing and recycling whenever possible and reducing energy consumption
- Encouraging environmental awareness among staff
- Using an environmental management system (EMS) to deliver structure to our environmental practices.
Our environmental policy statement outlines our commitment to caring for the environment.
APS Net Zero 2030
APS Net Zero is the Government’s policy for the Australian Public Service (APS) to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2030 and transparently report on its emissions. Under the Net Zero in Government Operations Strategy, Commonwealth entities are required to:
- report annually on operational greenhouse gas emissions
- establish an Emissions Reduction Plan.
We are committed to the environmental, social, and economic benefits of addressing climate change immediately. We see this as an opportunity to demonstrate leadership in emissions reduction.
Emissions Reduction Plan
We are committed to achieving net zero by 2030. We recognise that climate change is occurring, and that climate change will continue to have a significant effect on the Australian environment, society, and economy.
We acknowledge the central role of Government in driving a successful climate response. Hence, we declare that we are committed to reducing operational emissions, through the implementation of mitigation and adaption strategies.
Our Emissions Reduction Plan outlines our overall objectives which align with the Net Zero in Government Operations Strategy to reduce our operational emissions.
Amended APS Net Zero Emissions Reporting Data
The Australian Government’s APS Net Zero by 2030 commitment requires Commonwealth entities to report their greenhouse gas emissions consistently on an annual basis to track overall progress to net zero emissions. By measuring greenhouse gas emissions, entities will be able to identify areas where changes and targets will be needed to support the APS Net Zero target.
Reporting is also an important step in creating accountability and transparency. Not all data sources are available at the time of the annual reporting and amendments to data may be require in future reports. These amendments are published below.
How we're addressing sustainability
We're focused on being environmentally responsible and using resources sustainably. Our environmental management system (EMS) has achieved ISO 14001. We're one of the first intellectual property (IP) offices globally to achieve the certification.
Our internal initiatives help us maintain an environmentally friendly workplace.
Sustainable procurement
We use environmentally sustainable practices in all phases of our procurement process, including:
- Planning
- Approaching the market
- Evaluating offers
- Contract management.
Reducing environmental impact
We've made it easy for everyone on-site to help reduce impact on the environment. We encourage all staff and visitors to:
- Save energy, for example by turning off unused equipment and lights and using Energy Star certified equipment
- Save water, for example by reporting leaking taps or toilet cisterns to facilities client services
- Save paper, by reducing the amount of printing, printing on both sides and recycling paper
- Reduce work-related travel, by holding external meetings virtually rather than face-to-face.
Responsible recycling
Our recycling program helps us minimise pollution, environmental damage and costs. It includes:
- Rubbish and waste recycling
- Battery recycling
- Eye glass recycling through Lions' Recycle for Sight program.