The federal government has rallied the APS to play a leading role in decarbonising Australia’s economy using levers such as zero-emissions vehicles and building efficiency improvements, with plans to present a version of its new operations strategy to the UN Climate Change Conference COP28 next month.
The net zero in government operations strategy outlines the approach to reducing emissions from Australian government operations and transitioning to net zero in areas like property, energy, procurement, fleet and travel.
Government ambitions to achieve an APS net zero target within the next seven years will be led by the Department of Finance, which will oversee disclosures, commonwealth procurement rules, and a low-emissions vehicle target for the government’s fleet of vehicles.
Meanwhile, the capability of climate risk management (including physical and transitional climate risks and opportunities) and sustainable government procurement will be overseen by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW).
According to finance and APS minister Katy Gallagher, climate change and energy minister Chris Bowen, and assistant minister for climate change and energy Jenny McAllister, this moment in time is an opportunity for the government to set the tone on the pivot toward clean energy.
In a joint statement on Tuesday, the ministers said the newly released operations strategy fulfilled leadership and transparency goals for the public sector.
“There’s no reason why the commonwealth government can’t set the benchmark for major workplaces around the nation,” Gallagher said.
“This strategy is all about the government leading by example by providing a credible path on how government will reach net zero within its operations by 2030.”
This year, departments and agencies accounted for their greenhouse gas emissions and climate disclosure requirements in their 2022-23 annual reporting.
The strategy also focuses on a whole-of-government transition to renewable energy, lifting energy efficiency and electrification in commonwealth buildings, and where appropriate transitioning the APS fleet to zero-emission vehicles.
The ministers said it was developed in consultation with the APS, industry and domestic and international stakeholders. They also noted the document was informed by entity emissions data, as well as domestic and international best practice.
In terms of adapting the energy efficiency of buildings, McAllister said government venues would also be more comfortable during extreme weather.
“The strategy sets ambitious minimum energy performance standards for offices, data centres and warehouses, as well as encouraging the use of more energy-efficient travel and accommodation.
“By setting energy performance standards, we can drive down energy use and emissions,” McAllister said.
Bowen explained that by reducing emissions produced by the public sector, the government was doing its part to lead Australia’s commitment to the US-led net zero government Initiative — agreed to last November.
“[This] is about combating the impacts of climate change, while reaping the economic opportunities from affordable renewable energy,” he said.
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