oeh-epa sustainability strategy · 2015-09-11 · oeh/epa sustainability strategy 2015–20 why we...

DRAFT DESIGN DOCUMENT

Office of Environment and Heritage and Environment Protection Authority Sustainability Strategy 2015–20

Sustainability Leadership: Let’s take action together

Contents

What sustainability means to us

Why we developed our strategy

Our sustainability priorities

Leading the way

We do sustainability

Telling our story

Our sustainability structure

Making it happen

Where we hope to be in 2020

Glossary

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OEH/EPA Sustainability Strategy 2015–20

What sustainability means to us

The Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) and the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) work together to protect NSW’s environment. Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do.

We created this strategy to empower our people with the information, methods and inspiration they need to improve our sustainability and provide outstanding sustainability leadership.

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To us, sustainability means:

• leading the way in caring for and improving our environment • being more efficient, effective, productive, resilient and lowering our costs• improving our health and wellbeing

• sharing our knowledge to build an OEH/EPA community.

Barry BuffierChair and Chief Executive OfficerEnvironment Protection Authority

Organics recycling in the OEH and EPA kitchens.

Photo credit: J Elks/OEH

‘Sustainability is a top priority for OEH and the EPA and is at the core of everything we do. Our strategy will reduce our resource usage, delivering positive outcomes for the environment and for our organisations.

Let’s make this strategy a reality.’

Terry BaileyChief ExecutiveOffice of Environment and Heritage

OEH/EPA Sustainability Strategy 2015–20 4

Some offices have solar PV systems to make electricity. This one is at Paroo–Darling National Parks and Wildlife Service White Cliffs Visitor Centre and Office.

Photo credit: J Pedler/OEH



Why we developed our strategy

Our sustainability strategy will define and guide our actions over the next five years and will contribute to a range of policy objectives.

• NSW 2021, the NSW Government’s ten-year plan, which has targets and actions to support innovation, energy efficiency, renewable energy, recycling, volunteering, health and wellbeing.

• Government Resource Efficiency Policy, which aims to reduce operating costs and increase resource efficiency of NSW government agencies.

• OEH Corporate Plan, which aims to improve environmental outcomes and save money through efficiency, while supporting innovation and effectiveness.

• EPA Strategic Plan, which aims to improve environmental performance and waste management in NSW.

• NSW Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Strategy (2014–21), which aims to improve environment and community wellbeing by reducing the environmental impact of waste and using resources more efficiently.

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The sustainable OEH office in Narooma shows our commitment to sustainable environmental outcomes.

Photo credit: S Cohen/OEH

We need a strategy because we are a diverse organisation with competing challenges. We know we can’t do everything – this strategy will help us prioritise action. We listened to you and included a combination of aspirational and achievable targets in our strategy.


Our sustainability priorities

There are three themes that underpin our sustainability priorities.

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We do sustainability

Leading the way

Telling our story

Improve our sustainability outcomes by reducing our waste and energy and water use, and work with suppliers to influence their environmental performance.

Actively contribute to our sustainability outcomes by participating in the implementation of our strategy.

Communicate our progress to staff and customers through internal and external reporting.

Left: Cycling to and from work is great for your health and the environment.

Photo credit: P Sherratt/OEH

Top: Let your site manager know if there is a leaking tap in your bathroom or kitchen to help save water.

Photo credit: R Nicolai/OEH


Leading the way improving our sustainability outcomes

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Objectives

• Increase investment in energy efficiency and renewables.*

• Optimise our water use.*

• Lower our consumption and turn waste into resources.*

• Engage with suppliers who demonstrate a commitment to influencing social, ethical and environmental performance.*

• Support travel by staff while reducing the greenhouse gas emissions intensity of our travel by 20%.

• Improve our indoor environment quality.*

• Improve our outdoor air quality.*

Targets

• Double our energy productivity by 2030 by investing in energy efficiency and renewables.

• 25% reduction in water consumption by 2020 (excluding fire use).

• 70% of waste from our sites is diverted from landfill by 2020.

• 20% decrease in our greenhouse gas emissions intensity from travel by 2020.

• 100% of all new site fit-outs are low VOC by 2020.

Actions 2015–16

• Measure our waste, energy, water, transport and travel consumption to work out where we stand.

• Identify and scope energy projects across our sites. Implement at least two projects:

� Some potential projects identified, including solar PV at Lidcombe Labs, our largest energy using site. Funds to be accessed through the Government Finance Facility.

� Resource efficiency opportunities mapped at our sites.

• Reduce our paper and general waste:

� Develop a business case for ‘Follow Me’ printing to reduce our paper waste.

� Identify opportunities to optimise recycling.

• Update the procurement standard for suppliers:

� Sustainability requirements incorporated into Procurement Manual, request for tender and request for quote contracts in March 2015.

• Introduce SmartPool at selected sites to help optimise our fleet:

� Commenced at Goulburn Street and Hurstville in February 2015. More sites to be included soon.

• Measure indoor environment quality at selected sites:

� Commenced in June 2015 at Goulburn Street.

What does this mean for me?Your actions matter! You can switch off your computer at the end of the day or lead a project to reduce waste in your workplace.

* Meets and exceeds the Government RResource Efficiency Policy

There’s still plenty of room for other projects which fit within our three themes. Let’s discuss when we work on our implementation plan.

If you have an idea, get in touch! Email your Sustainability Coordinator at OEH: [email protected] and EPA: [email protected]

Targets to be reviewed once resource efficiency baselines are established


We do sustainabilitytaking action on sustainability

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Objectives

• Develop internal and external partnerships to deliver shared goals.

• Empower and encourage staff to initiate, lead and participate in sustainability activities, including local community involvement and volunteering.

• Equip staff to share knowledge internally and to be able to answer questions from customers about our sustainability commitments and initiatives.

• Support staff health and wellbeing projects.

Targets

• 75% of staff are involved in internal sustainability activities by 2020.

• 50% of staff include sustainability actions in performance and development plans by 2020.

Actions 2015–16

• Set up a Sustainability Change Makers Network:

� Establish a criteria for participation in the network, terms of reference and recruitment.

� Identify and scope opportunities for network members to lead, participate and implement sustainability projects.

• Develop implementation plan:

� Discussions have started and a workshop will take place to determine the implementation approach, roles and responsibilities.

• Embed sustainability in business plans and branch plans.

• Support People and Culture with the continued development of their Health and Wellbeing program.What does this

mean for me?

Your ideas matter! Demonstrate sustainability at events by asking the venue to use reusable materials, sourcing food in season and by purchasing GreenPower.

Raise sustainability issues at team meetings and suggest ways to improve our performance.

‘I want to know more about what I can do to support and champion sustainable work practices.’ – Staff survey respondent

Some staff are trying standing desks to improve their health and wellbeing.

Photo credit: L Madden/OEH



Telling our story communicating our progress

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Energy efficient lighting installed at the sustainable office building in Narooma. Photo credit: S Cohen/OEH

Objectives

• Communicate our performance internally biannually and externally through annual reporting.*

Targets

• 80% increase in internal and external recognition for excellence in sustainability projects/initiatives by 2020.

Actions 2015–16

• Conduct benchmarking research to better understand how we are performing compared to other organisations.

• Develop a sustainability scorecard for communicating our performance:

� Deliver our first report under the Government Resource Efficiency Policy.

What does this mean for me?

You understand what we’re doing and can explain it to others. These ‘elevator pitches’ provide some quick and simple statements that let you tell our story to anyone who asks.

Q. ‘What’s our organisation doing to improve its own sustainability?’

A. ‘We are reducing our water and power consumption, finding creative ways to travel less, and building sustainability into all our plans.’

Q. What if I have an idea to improve our sustainability? A. ‘Check it against our principles to make sure it has the basics. If it does, raise it at a team meeting and get in touch with the Sustainability Coordinator.’

‘Let’s have clear reporting on our performance relative to other organisations.’

* Meets and exceeds the Government R Resource Efficiency Policy

– Staff survey respondent



Our sustainability structure

Our sustainability structure will make sure your business area has:

• the support, resources and tools to implement sustainability initiatives, and to monitor and report on our performance

• the opportunity to shape the review of our strategy to address the sustainability issues that matter to you.

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Rainwater tank along the Mutawintji Gorge Walk at Mutawintji National Park, north east of Broken Hill.

Photo credit: J Spencer/OEH

Soft plastics recycling initiative in action at Goulburn Street OEH and EPA kitchens.

Photo credit: J Elks/OEH

What does this mean for me?Your business area/branch has a representative in the Sustainability Change Makers Network. If you have an idea to improve our sustainability, or a question, talk to them!

OEH/EPA Sustainability Strategy 2015–20 11

Corporate Sustainability Leadership Group

Shapes the direction and development of the sustainability strategy and supporting implementation. Senior management representation from:

OEH and EPA ExecutivesApprove and support the sustainability strategy

Chief Executive, OEH Chair and Chief Executive, EPA

Deputy Chief Executive Regional Operations Group and Heritage, OEH

Sustainability Change Makers Network

Representatives from different business areas/branches. Responsible for coordinating the implementation of sustainability projects.

• Office of the Chief Executive• Regional Operations • Finance, Procurement, Performance

• Science Division• Office of the Chief Executive • Finance, Procurement, Performance and Services • Legal Services • EPA

• Regional Operations Group and Heritage • Policy Division• People and Culture • National Parks and Wildlife Service and

Customer Experience Division• Business Information and Services

Executive Director Waste and Resource Recovery Branch, EPA

Executive sponsor and Chair of the Corporate Sustainability Leadership Group

Executive sponsor

OEH Sustainability Yammer group

Sustainability Coordinator Regional Operations Group and Heritagecoordinates the Corporate Sustainability

Leadership Group and facilitates the development, review and implementation

of the sustainability strategy.

How we will work together to implement the strategy

and Services• Business Information and Services• National Parks and Wildlife Service• Heritage• Policy• People and Culture• Customer Experience• Legal• Science

• Stakeholder Engagement and Governance

• Waste and Resource Recovery

• Hazardous Incidents and Environmental Health

• Reform and Compliance• Metropolitan• North• South

OEH EPA


Making it happen

We will develop an implementation plan that maps out how we aim to meet our sustainability priorities.

We will draw on the expertise and knowledgefrom across our various business areas/branchesto develop a plan that meets our diverseorganisational needs. Your input into thisprocess is crucial.

The strategy and implementation plan will be a living document. Actions will be updated annually, while objectives and targets will be reviewed every two years. This will ensure we are effectively addressing the sustainability issues that matter, and that we are capturing any new issues. We will be looking to learn from partner organisations, staff, and the latest research to ensure we are always operating in the best possible way.

As part of our implementation approach we will develop a sustainability scorecard which will be reported internally every six months. We will also report externally through our annual reports. Business areas/branches will contribute to both internal and external reporting.

‘Collaboration and cooperation within the business and between business units is critical. There’s much to do and much enthusiasm – we just need to join the dots. This is a great example of taking the lead as an organisation.’

– Kate Harris, CEO, Centre for Sustainability Leadership

What does this mean for me?

If you have ideas and experiences to share, get in touch. Also, be open to learning from partner organisations and colleagues.

Could you be a sustainability leader?

If you’re passionate about sustainability, we’d love to hear from you. We’re always looking for sustainability champions for our Sustainability Change Makers Network. You can also be part of OEH and EPA’s sustainable future by sharing your ideas on Yammer, raising them in team meetings or leading a project that meets our principles.

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Where we hope to be by 2020

By 2020 OEH and EPA will have:

• improved your health and wellbeing through better indoor air quality at our sites and staff involvement in the Health and Wellbeing Program

• our sites fitted out with energy and water efficient appliances

• a comprehensive induction on our sustainability practices for new staff

• implemented energy efficiency measures and solar PV at many of our sites

• the majority of our suppliers making a strong commitment to social, ethical and environmental performance

• demonstrated best practice in the recovery and reuse of existing office furniture in the design of key new fit-outs

• become connected to each other via innovative technology, which decreases our need to travel and improves our productivity

• engaged new voices and developed stronger internal and external partnerships to help deliver our sustainability priorities

• provided leadership to the public and private sector

• 75% of our staff are involved in internal sustainability activities

• reduced waste generation and, where we can’t avoid waste being generated, we will recycle or reuse 70% of these materials.

Former OEH Laptops donated to rangers in the Solomon Islands community.

Photo credit: Henry Kaniki of Sirubai Voko Tribe Association

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GlossaryCorporate Sustainability Leadership GroupSteering group that is represented by different business areas to shape the direction and development of the sustainability strategy and support implementation.

Energy productivity A measure of the productive output or value derived from each unit of energy consumed. Energy productivity can be improved through switching to renewables, investing in efficient equipment and processes and innovative work practices that optimise the use of floorspace.

EPA Strategic PlanPlan that provides strategic corporate direction to EPA.

Government Resource Efficiency PolicyPolicy that drives resource efficiency in energy, water and waste and the reduction in harmful air emissions through compliance requirements on NSW state government agencies.

Low VOCVolatile organic compounds (VOC) are chemical compounds that escape into the air contributing to indoor air pollution. Low VOCs have a lower health and environmental impact.

NSW 2021NSW Government’s ten-year plan to rebuild the economy, return quality services, renovate infrastructure, restore accountability to Government, and strengthen our local environment and communities. It includes targets and actions to support innovation, energy efficiency, renewable energy, recycling, volunteering, health and wellbeing.

NSW Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Strategy 2014–21 EPA’s strategy to reduce waste generation and keep materials circulating within the economy. It sets clear directions for a range of priorities, and aligns with the NSW Government’s waste reforms.

OEH Corporate planPlan that provides strategic corporate direction to OEH.

SmartPoolCar pool management system that creates vehicle pools, allocates daily bookings and monitors fleet utilisation, which results in more efficient and cost-effective fleet management.

Sustainability Change Makers NetworkRepresentatives from different business areas/branches who are responsible for coordinating the implementation of sustainability projects.

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Copyright 2015 State of New South Wales, Office of Environment and Heritage, and NSW Environment Protection Authority.

With the exception of photographs, the State of NSW, Office of Environment and Heritage and NSW Environment Protection Authority are pleased to allow this material to be reproduced in whole or in part for educational and non-commercial use, provided the meaning is unchanged and its source, publisher and authorship are acknowledged. Specific permission is required for the reproduction of photographs.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this document is accurate at the time of publication. However, as appropriate, readers should obtain independent advice before making any decision based on this information.

Published by:Office of Environment and Heritage and NSW Environment Protection Authority59 Goulburn Street, Sydney NSW 2000PO Box A290, Sydney South NSW 1232Phone: (02) 9995 5000 (switchboard)Phone: 131 555 (environment information and publications requests)Phone: 1300 361 967 (national parks, climate change and energy efficiency information, and publications requests)Fax: (02) 9995 5999TTY: (02) 9211 4723Email: [email protected]: www.environment.nsw.gov.au www.epa.nsw.gov.au

Report pollution and environmental incidentsEnvironment Line: 131 555 (NSW only) or [email protected] also www.environment.nsw.gov.au

OEH 2015/0353ISBN 978-1-74359-996-9September 2015

Have your say We are interested in feedback on our strategy. To ask a question or make a comment, email your Sustainability Coordinator at OEH: [email protected] and EPA: [email protected]

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oeh-epa sustainability strategy · 2015-09-11 · oeh/epa sustainability strategy 2015–20 why we...

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