Date: 2008-03-21
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The Brumby Government is working to cut the environmental impact of its agencies through its ResourceSmart Government program, launched today by Minister for Environment and Climate Change Gavin Jennings.
(Media-Newswire.com) - The Brumby Government is working to cut the environmental impact of its agencies through its ResourceSmart Government program, launched today by Minister for Environment and Climate Change Gavin Jennings.
Speaking at the National Gallery of Victoria Mr Jennings said the program would help Government agencies to reduce energy consumption and water use as well as improve waste management.
“Since 2002, all Victorian Government departments have been required to implement formal environmental management systems,” Mr Jennings said.
“Between 2005-06 and 2006-07 office-based energy consumption fell by 9 per cent, water consumption fell by 21 per cent, waste production fell by 13 per cent and paper consumption fell by 7 per cent per full time employee.
“The Brumby Government is expanding environmental management programs to statutory agencies by 2011, with a focus on managing environmental impacts from all their operations, through the ResourceSmart Government program.”
Many statutory agencies are already making substantial progress in reducing their environmental impacts.
“The National Gallery of Victoria has improved energy efficiency by 19.6 per cent since 2003, and has cut water consumption through using rainwater for its waterwall and moat. ResourceSmart Government will build on these achievements,” Mr Jennings said.
The program aims to engage more than 200 statutory agencies. Participants will assess their environmental impacts and implement environmental management programs to reduce them.
“Last week I tabled the Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability’s Strategic Audit of Government Agencies’ Environmental Management Systems, which outlines successes and further challenges.
“Environmental management must become a fundamental part of our business planning and operations.
“It saves money, reduces our consumption of natural resources, drives cultural change and demonstrates leadership in the community.”
ResourceSmart Government is an initiative of Our Environment Our Future, Environmental Action Statement 2006 and has been developed by Sustainability Victoria and Department of Sustainability and Environment.