Carbon Neutral Public Service Programme Reduction Plan for the Department of Building and Housing - February 2008
The Government has committed to moving towards a carbon neutral public service (CNPS).
The Department of Building and Housing is one of the 28 stage two core public service agencies that will be on the path to carbon neutrality by the year 2012.
Reducing emissions is an important step in the context of carbon neutrality. Having measured the emissions, it is necessary to undertake reduction activities that will reduce emissions as much as practical and cost effective. The remaining emissions will then be offset to make the core public service carbon neutral.
The role of the reduction plan is to identify and record opportunities and initiatives that help to reduce emissions.
Organisational Overview
The Department of Building and Housing was established to bring together people and functions from across the government and takes a whole-of-sector approach to New Zealand’s built environment. The Department’s overall desired outcome is that ‘the people of New Zealand have access to quality homes and buildings that meet their needs, reflect our environment and contribute to a sustainable New Zealand’.
The Department is responsible for:
- administering building and housing sector legislation and its associated work programmes
- regulating the building sector and rental housing sector
- delivering effective information, advice and dispute resolution services
- providing policy advice to the government on the building and housing sectors
To this end the Department employs some 439 full time staff and a number of contractors and assessors at 22 locations throughout New Zealand.
Offices and staff are located as per the following table:
| Location
| Staff numbers
|
| Whangarei |
2 |
| Auckland Central |
39 |
| Henderson |
2 |
| Manukau |
15 |
| Takapuna |
1 |
| Hamilton |
15 |
| Tauranga |
2 |
| Rotorua |
2 |
| New Plymouth |
1 |
| Gisborne |
1 |
| Napier |
1 |
| Palmerston North |
2 |
| Porirua |
91 |
| National Office (Wellington) |
221 |
| Wellington |
16 |
| Blenheim |
1 |
| Nelson |
1 |
| Christchurch |
20 |
| Timaru |
1 |
| Dunedin |
3 |
| Invercargill |
2 |
The Department operates a fleet of 26 motor vehicles. All of these are under two litre capacity and fifteen which were purchased in 2007 were specifically chosen for their fuel economy and low emissions.
Department of Building and Housing’s Current Position
For the year ending 30 June 2007 the Department produced a total of 666.41 tonnes of carbon equivalent. Over half of this was from air travel and this is now a key area of focus for reduction. Another 25% was from electricity usage and a review will be carried out of the main buildings in which we are able to influence usage.
Although no target has been set as yet discussions will be held as part of the Department’s annual planning process with a view to setting a series of long term goals for reductions.
The programme comes under the auspices of the Deputy Chief Executive, Corporate.
Supporting Policies, Plans and Resources
The Department has in place a Govt3 action plan which addresses issues of waste to landfill reduction, improved practices in relation to travel and electricity usage and provides for a communications programme to staff to encourage participation in overall reduction in energy usage.
Energy audits for two of our larger offices will be carried out in the next six months and action will be taken to reduce consumption based of the results of these.
Our procurement policy has as one of its guiding principals “Sustainability and Govt3” and these issues must be considered for all procurement.
Energy
Electrical energy usage represents 29.5% of the Department’s greenhouse gas emissions. This is despite the fact that the new national office facility in Wellington was built with energy saving measures such as light sensors to turn out lights in unoccupied areas and much thought being given to the most efficient means of heating and cooling the building. All direct down lighting has been fitted with energy efficient lamps.
All new sites are now fitted with light sensors as part of any fit out done.
Communication programmes are under way encouraging staff to turn off computers and monitors when leaving for the day. Development of a screen message to remind people to switch off computer monitors when they log off is also being done.
Energy audits will be completed on major sites in the next six months and the Department will work with the recommendations from these.
| Action |
Responsibility |
Timeframes |
Measure of Success |
| Complete level two energy audit |
Administration Manager |
By 30 June 2008 |
- Audit completed and recommendations made.
- to be implemented added to the reduction plan
|
| Finalise development of screen message for computer shut down. |
Admin/IT |
By 30 June 2008 |
Message in place and monitors being shut down at night. |
| Install sensors to shut off unnecessary lighting in all existing buildings |
Admin/Regional Managers |
By 30 June 2009 |
An overall reduction in electricity usage nationally. |
Transport
Transport, including air travel, is responsible for 68.3% of the Department’s greenhouse gas emissions.
Initiatives to date include a review of the Department’s travel policy undertaken as a new travel provider has been appointed. The Department has also purchased audio visual technology to link the three main centres, Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch with a view to significantly reducing the use of domestic air travel. In the last year the Department has also replaced 16 of 26 vehicles with more fuel efficient models.
Actions listed below aim to significantly reduce the use of domestic air travel and reduce the overall emission level from travel.
| Action |
Responsibility |
Timeframes |
Measure of Success |
| Develop a travel plan for business related travel |
Administration Manager |
By end 2008 |
- Travel planning process has been completed and a travel plan is now in place.
- Relevant actions have been included in CNPS reduction plan.
|
| Undertake a staff education programme on the use and benefits of video conferencing |
Admin/Comms |
By June 2008 |
Reduction of at least 25% in spending on domestic travel by 30 June 2009 |
| Review the remainder of the vehicle fleet and develop a replacement programme using low emission as a criteria for vehicle selection |
Regional Managers |
July 2008 |
Replacement of older high emission vehicles. |
Waste to Landfill
Waste to landfill accounts for 2.2% of the Department’s greenhouse gas emissions.
A number of initiatives have already been taken to reduce this figure. These include default setting of MFDs to double side printing, the introduction of waste streaming stations in kitchens and the use of compostable waste bins.
Actions listed below aim to encourage staff to stream waste properly and improve behaviour around colour and single sided printing.
| Action |
Responsibility |
Timeframes |
Measure of Success |
| Have all printers and MFDs nationally defaulted to black and white, double sided print |
Admin/IT |
End June 2008 |
Reduction in cost of printing and lower demand for paper |
| Develop a communication programme to encourage staff to make better use of recycling facilities |
Admin/Comms |
End Sept 2008 |
Reduction in overall waste and amount going to landfill. |
| Complete a second waste survey to enable measurement of progress. |
Admin |
End Aug 2008 |
A reduction in waste to landfill compared to last year. |
Review of plan
This plan is due to be reviewed on 30 June 2009
Approval
This plan has been approved by:
Ann Clark
Position: Deputy Chief Executive Corporate