Environmental Sustainability of ICT
Initiatives developed by the Department of Finance and Deregulation (Finance), in consultation with the Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (SEWPAC), that aim to support the Government’s environmental sustainability agenda.
ICT Reform Program
An ICT Reform Program has been initiated to implement the recommendations from Sir Peter Gershon’s Review of the Australian Government's use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
Recommendation 7 of the Review addresses the sustainability of ICT in government, and includes the following initiatives:
Australian Government ICT Sustainability Plan 2010-2015
The Australian Government ICT Sustainability plan 2010-2015 [
] (developed by SEWPAC, in consultation with Finance) aims to identify the standards that should be applied in government purchasing of ICT products and services and include measures to improve the ICT environmental performance across government departments, particularly in terms of energy efficiency.
Green ICT Quick Wins
The Green ICT Quick Wins offered guidance based on the best practices already adopted by some agencies and the private sector, to build momentum for whole-of-government green initiatives and help agencies quickly attain energy efficiency savings. The Quick Wins have been incorporated into the Australian Government ICT Sustainability Plan [].
Green ICT Procurement Toolkit
The purpose of the Green ICT Procurement Toolkit was to provide guidance and tools to help agencies procuring ICT products and services to address environmental issues relating to manufacture, distribution, packaging, energy efficiency and disposal. The toolkit can be accessed on the Australian Government ICT Sustainability Plan [] website.
Other initiatives
Australian Government Data Centre Strategy 2010-2025
The Australian Government Data Centre Strategy 2010-2025 has the primary objective of developing an ICT investment approach to avoid $1 billion in data centre costs over 10 to 15 years. In achieving this, there are several additional objectives in accordance with other Government priorities including improving sustainability and promoting innovation in government as well as the local ICT industry.
The Strategy is complemented by the Data Centre Optimisation Targets Policy (the Policy). This sets out the requirements for Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 (FMA Act) Agencies for achieving greater energy efficiency in data centres. The intention of the Policy is to drive down the operating costs of a data centre, reduce data centre CO2 emissions output and assist in achieving the Government’s energy efficiency targets.
Further Reading
Energy Efficiency in Government Operations (EEGO) Policy (2006). Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency []
Green Office Fundamentals Better Practice Guide (2012) Australian National Audit Office []
Green Office Procurement and Sustainable Office Management (2008-09) Australian National Audit Office []
Cross Portfolio Audit of Green Office Procurement (2005-06) Australian National Audit Office []
Contact for information on this page: AGIMO.Feedback@finance.gov.au