This is the home of the Tasmanian Climate Change Office. For more information on the Tasmanian response to climate change go to main website at www.climatechange.tas.gov.au.

What the Tasmanian Government is doing to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions

Emissions audit

An audit of Government operations and buildings has been undertaken by consultants Parsons Brinckerhoff and a report will be submitted to Government in September. The report will include an emissions inventory, suggested targets for reducing emissions, a new emissions monitoring and reporting system and ideas for actions Government agencies can take to reduce their emissions.

Energy efficient Government buildings

Consultants Parsons Brinckerhoff conducted an energy efficiency audit of 25 key Government buildings. Their report will include recommendations on the introduction of solar panels and solar hot water systems in major Government-owned buildings. All new Government office buildings, education and healthcare facilities (including the new Royal Hobart Hospital Project) will be required to meet minimum ‘Green Star’ ratings.

Climate Champions

Staff from across Government have participated in Climate Champions workshops. The workshops identified what action can be taken in their workplaces to reduce their carbon footprint. These ideas will go into agencies’ emissions reduction plans, which must be in place by the end of the year.

Climate friendly vehicle fleet

The Government has changed its vehicle fleet to be more climate friendly. Minimum greenhouse ratings have been introduced for new Government fleet vehicles. All passenger vehicles purchased now meet a minimum Australian Government Green Vehicle Guide greenhouse rating of 5.5, and all light commercial and 4WD vehicles meet a minimum rating of 3.5.There will be some exceptions for special purpose vehicles. The Government is also ordering more hybrid and alternative-fuel vehicles for use in its fleet. It is the aim of Government that the vehicle fleet will be carbon neutral by July 2010.

Carbon neutral Government air travel

The Government will offset greenhouse gas emissions from all Government air travel to make it carbon neutral.  Research is also being conducted into the viability of a Tasmanian-based carbon offsets scheme that provides multiple avenues for offsetting vehicle, building and other emissions through investment in Tasmanian programs. This program is highly dependent on the rules established under the Australian Government’s Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme.

Revised Government procurement policy

The Government has reviewed its procurement policies and climate change considerations have been incorporated into all major purchasing decisions.

Better agency reporting

All Government agencies will detail their progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in their annual reports.  The Tasmanian Climate Change Office will coordinate whole-of-government, six-monthly reports on the progress made by agencies on identifying and implementing emissions reduction measures.

This activity is part of the Tasmanian Government’s response to Dr Kate Crowley’s Framework for Reducing the Tasmanian Government’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions (Full report (PDF, 343KB) | Summary (PDF, 154KB))

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