Emissions reduction plan update 2025–26

The department is implementing emissions reduction initiatives in line with the Australian Government’s Net Zero in Government Operations (NZGO) Strategy, developed by the Department of Finance.

The NZGO Strategy sets out the government’s approach to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions from its operations by 2030, including the reinstatement of public emissions reporting.

The purpose of this emissions reduction plan (ERP) is to provide a pathway for the department to contribute to achievement of the APS Net Zero 2030 target through emissions reduction activities. The ERP encompasses both existing and new priorities and actions within the department to reduce emissions.

We have developed this ERP in accordance with the NZGO Strategy, associated guidance and relevant reporting standards for annual emissions reporting.

The ERP sets our emissions reduction targets, outlines the actions the department will deliver to meet them, and defines how we will monitor and report progress each year through annual updates.

Executive oversight is provided through the APS Net Zero Dashboard, reported to the Operations Committee twice yearly, and the Property Dashboard, reported quarterly to the Executive Board. Business areas receive updates through the National Consultative Committee, while staff climate capability is supported through Chief Sustainability Officer updates, informed by our staff-led sustainability network (EcoNet), and subject matter experts across Climate Risk, Property, Travel, and Fleet. The department also maintains ongoing engagement with the Department of Finance to validate emissions data and monitor progress against actions, supported by internal audit assurance for Annual Report disclosures.

The department recorded progress using our emissions data and other indicators relevant to our operations as defined in the ERP, including total scope 1 and scope 2 emissions (tCO₂-e) and the percentage change from our baseline year.

The department monitored electricity consumption (MWh) and energy intensity (MWh/m²) across our owned and leased sites, and the percentage of electricity matched to renewable sources (for example, GreenPower, power purchase agreements or renewable energy certificates, where applicable) to track our adherence to the NZGO Strategy Net Zero Buildings, National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS) and Green Lease Schedule requirements. The department’s fleet team monitored fuel usage, the proportion of low emissions vehicles (LEVs) within the fleet, and the procurement of zero emission vehicles (ZEVs) to support net zero fleet requirements.

Although scope 3 emissions actions are not required under the APS Net Zero 2030 target, the department has voluntarily undertaken a greenhouse gas assessment to establish a baseline for scope 3 emissions to enable future tracking and reporting.

Buildings

The department operates across all Australian states and territories with about 3,575 personnel located nationwide. The department’s operations are delivered across a diverse asset base of 45 properties including office accommodation, specialist laboratories, warehouse facilities and science visitor centres.

The department has 3 large special purpose National Measurement Institute (NMI) laboratories at Linfield and North Ryde (NSW) and Port Melbourne (VIC) which operate 24/7. We also have 2 public facilities: Questacon (ACT) and the Space Discovery Centre (SA). These sites have unique operational constraints that add complexity to our emission reduction efforts.

See Appendix A: List of departmental properties for further information.

Fleet vehicles

The department operates a fleet of approximately 86 vehicles for the purpose of undertaking regulatory and compliance services, regional business engagement and for general departmental purposes. The fleet is comprised of 70% light commercial vehicles, 24% passenger vehicles and 6% heavy commercial vehicles.

See Appendix B: Composition of fleet vehicles for further information.

Travel

The department participates in the Whole of Australian Government (WoAG) travel arrangements for flights, hire cars and accommodation. Where necessary, our staff undertake travel as part of official duties when other communication tools such as teleconferencing and videoconferencing are not suitable.

In developing this ERP, the department collaborated with a range of internal and external stakeholders, including:

• Department of Finance Climate Action in Government Operations unit, to align with the Net Zero in Government Operations Strategy and Commonwealth Climate Disclosure requirements
• Department of Finance Fleet team, and internal fleet team to explore options associated with the transition to low‑emissions vehicles
• Department of Finance Travel team and internal travel team, to consider options and approaches for reducing emissions associated with official travel
• portfolio entities, where applicable, to identify opportunities to address shared considerations and reduce emissions across the portfolio
• Evolve FM, property service provider (PSP).

The following divisions within the department were involved in developing the Emissions Reduction Plan:

• Chief Information Officer Division
• Chief Operating Officer Division
• Chief Finance Officer Division
• Questacon.

Baseline emissions record greenhouse gas emissions before emissions reduction measures were introduced. The baseline emissions from financial year 2022–23 are the reference point against which emissions reduction actions are measured.

The baseline emissions for this plan focus on scope 1 and scope 2 emissions, consistent with the APS Net Zero 2030 target. Electricity‑related emissions were calculated using the location-based and market-based methods. The complete 2022‍–‍23 greenhouse gas emissions inventory tables for the department are presented in our 2022–23 Annual Report.

The tables in this section present a cumulative emissions record, commencing with the 2022–23 baseline in Table 1. Each annual update adds the latest reporting year, enabling comparison against the baseline and, where available, the previous year. This demonstrates both long-term progress from the baseline and year-on-year changes as reporting matures.

Table 1: Baseline emissions

*The figures in this table are the FY2022–23 amended emissions.

First annual update, second year of reporting

Table 2: Greenhouse gas emissions inventory and annual progress towards net zero emissions

*The figures in this table are the FY2023–24 amended emissions.

The department recorded a 35.6% reduction in combined scope 1 and scope 2 emissions in 2023–24 compared with the baseline year. The percentage change from the baseline for each emissions source is presented in Table 2.

Scope 1 (natural gas) and scope 2 (market-based electricity) emissions were significantly lower in 2023–24 than in the 2022–23 baseline year. This was primarily due to a change in reporting arrangements for the jointly occupied Lindfield site. While emissions from the site continued to occur, they were reported by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) under its National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (NGER) boundary rather than included in the department’s reported totals. The reduction reflects a change in reporting arrangements, not an equivalent reduction in actual emissions.

Emissions from refrigerants were not reported during the reporting period as the relevant data was unavailable and refrigerant reporting was optional. This will be phased in over time as emissions reporting matures.

Emissions from hire cars was not included in the 2022–23 reporting and the increase in emissions for fleet and other vehicles is due to the inclusion of emissions from hire cars in 2023–24 reporting.

Other energy is primarily attributable to diesel usage from the Industry House tenancy generator, which was not included within the reporting scope in the baseline year.

Second annual update, third year of reporting

Table 3: Greenhouse gas emissions inventory and annual progress towards net zero emissions

*The figures in this table are the FY2024–25 amended emissions.

The department recorded a 37.7% reduction in combined scope 1 and scope 2 emissions in 2024–25 compared to the baseline year, and a 3.3% reduction compared to 2023–24. The percentage change since baseline for each emissions source is presented in Table 3.

Natural gas related emissions (scope 1) decreased notably in the reporting year compared to 2023–24. This was due to Questacon completing its electrification works and eliminating natural gas consumption at the site. The reduction in scope 2 emissions is expected to increase over time through prioritisation of electrification and continued participation in WoAG renewable electricity purchasing arrangements.

Emissions from refrigerants were not reported during the reporting period as the relevant data was unavailable and refrigerant reporting was optional. This will be phased in over time as emissions reporting matures.

The reduction in Fleet and Other Vehicles between 2023–24 and 2024–25 relates to the changeover of 6 passenger vehicles from diesel to hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) and the sale of 2 heavy commercial vehicles. The reduction is expected to continue over time as vehicles are transitioned to LEVs.

Third annual update, fourth year of reporting

Table 4: Greenhouse gas emissions inventory and annual progress towards net zero emissions

The department recorded a 39.7% reduction in combined scope 1 and scope 2 emissions in 2025–26 compared with the baseline year, and a 3.1% reduction compared with 2024–25. The percentage change for each emissions source is presented in Table 4.

From 1 July 2025, the department obtained operational control of the Lindfield site. In the 2022–23 baseline year, the department separately reported its proportional share of the site's electricity emissions despite not having operational control and did not claim the associated large-scale generation certificates (LGCs). As a result of the change in operational control, the department is now responsible for reporting 100% of the site's emissions and claiming the associated LGCs from 2025-26.

The decrease in scope 2 electricity emissions (market-based method) is attributed to the voluntary surrender of LGCs under the agreement between DISR and CSIRO for Linfield, as well as energy efficiency initiatives implemented across several of the department’s highest consuming sites such as optimising lighting schedules and the space utilisation project at Industry House, as well as transitioning to LED lighting and supplementary air-conditioning upgrades at North Ryde.

The change in reporting parameters is also responsible for an increase in natural gas related scope 1 emissions and refrigerants.

The increase in emissions associated with other energy sources is due to improved data availability for diesel and compressed natural gas consumption across the departments highest consuming sites.

The reduction in fleet and other vehicles (scope 1) is driven by lower diesel consumption associated with reduced fleet activity.

Top 5 energy consumption sites

Baseline emission reporting showed that most of the department’s emissions are scope 2 energy usage. An assessment of this usage showed that 5 sites account for over 90% of the total energy consumption.

The department will prioritise these sites when considering emissions reductions measures. Lindfield, North Ryde and Port Melbourne are NMI laboratories that have unique energy needs as they operate 24 hours a day, 7 days per week.

Table 5: Top 5 energy consumption sites FY2025–26

The department is following the APS Net Zero 2030 target (details within the Net Zero in Government Operations Strategy).

The metric used to set the 2030 target is t CO₂-e (tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent).

The 2030 target is defined in the NZGO Strategy as:

The objective of the 2030 target is to reduce emissions to mitigate further impacts of climate change. It applies to all non-corporate Commonwealth entities, and any corporate Commonwealth entities or Commonwealth companies that opt-in. The organisational boundary is the whole entity, unless an exemption has been agreed for security or other reasons.

The timeframe for achieving the net greenhouse gas emissions target is from 16 June 2022 to 30 June 2030. 

The initial baseline as per the NZGO Strategy is the 2022–23 financial year. The initial baseline may change as additional emissions sources are included in the future.

Our specific interim targets are detailed in this emissions reduction plan.

The 2030 target is an absolute target.

The 2030 target forms part of Australia’s international climate commitments, including Australia’s nationally determined contribution under the Paris Agreement.

The 2030 target methodology has not been reviewed by a third party.

The Net Zero in Government Operations Strategy noted a 2026–27 mid-term review would be undertaken to consider overall progress to date, domestic expectations and any recommended changes to policy or strategy. If the outcomes of this review impact the 2030 target, changes would be reflected in our entity’s future disclosures.

In 2026–27, the Department of Finance will undertake a mid-term review of the NZGO Strategy to consider overall progress to date, domestic expectations and any recommended changes to the 2030 target and associated NZGO Strategy.

Interim metrics used to monitor performance are detailed within this ERP and our annual climate disclosure.

Progress against the aggregated 2030 target for the Australian Public Service, including metrics, is detailed within the Climate Action in Government Operations Annual Progress Report prepared by the Department of Finance. 

During the reporting period there were no changes to the 2030 target.

The following greenhouse gas emissions are included in the APS Net Zero Emissions Reporting Framework and 2030 target:

• carbon dioxide (CO₂)
• methane (CH₄)
• nitrous oxide (N₂O)
• hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)
• perfluorocarbons (PFCs)
• sulphur hexafluoride (SF₆)
• nitrogen trifluoride (N₃).

The 2030 target includes scope 1 and scope 2 emissions and is a net greenhouse gas emissions target.

It was not derived using a sectoral decarbonisation approach.

As part of our commitment to the 2030 target, we also commit to the relevant targets in the NZGO Strategy.

This includes:

• developing an ERP
• publishing our annual progress towards the 2030 Target, as measured by percentage of overall emissions reduction each year, in the annual updates to the ERP.

Additional interim targets are detailed in this ERP and subsequent ERPs.

Read our previous ERP.

The department is developing an interim target to reduce combined scope 1 and scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions relative to the 2022–23 baseline, with the target to be determined following further analysis of emissions trends and reduction opportunities.

The department will: 

Deliver

• Progress practical initiatives in 2026–27 at the sites that drive most emissions, including audits, benchmarking, waste and solar investigation and smarter electricity management.

Measure

• Close the data gaps using NABERS ratings, demand management metering and contract-based reporting.
• Replace estimates with evidence.

Improve

• Revisit quantified interim targets as data matures, informed by the Department of Finance’s reviews of the NZGO Strategy.

In support of our contribution to the 2030 target, the department has set broader climate-related targets to support reductions in operational emissions and enable delivery of the ERP. These targets focus on key emissions drivers, including:

• electricity use
• buildings
• fleet
• procurement
• travel
• organisational capability.

While not all targets are expressed as absolute emissions reductions, they are expected to deliver measurable emissions abatement over time and support progress towards net zero.

Delivery of these targets is supported through coordinated actions such as:

• transitioning to renewable electricity
• improving the energy performance of owned and leased buildings
• progressing fleet transition
• embedding emissions considerations into procurement and travel decisions.

The table below outlines the department’s broader climate-related targets, including key measures, timeframes and responsible business areas as defined in the NZGO Strategy. Progress will be monitored and reported annually through ERP annual updates.

Table 6: Broader climate related targets

Targets may be subject to landlord cooperation, funding approval and applicable Department of Finance procurement processes and timeframes.

The department progressed implementation of priority actions identified in our 2024‍–‍25 Emissions Reduction Plan, with a continued focus on electricity, property and fleet emissions as the largest sources of operational emissions. Actions progressed during the year included:

• delivered energy audits at 3 of our 5 top emitting sites to identify and prioritise energy efficiency opportunities and inform future investment decisions
• optimised lighting schedules to reduce energy consumption and operating costs
• transitioned to LED lighting during maintenance cycles and fit outs to reduce energy consumption and enhance building performance
• commissioned 2 voluntary tenancy NABERS ratings to benchmark sites and identify energy efficiency opportunities
• continued the transition of the passenger vehicle fleet towards LEV and ZEV options to align with NZGO Strategy targets
• implemented the Chief Sustainability Officer triannual organisational update to engage staff and Executive on climate action initiatives, communicate progress on emissions reduction, and reinforce the importance of embedding sustainability in policy.

The department also built on strengthened enabling measures to support ongoing emissions reduction. This included improving the quality and coverage of emissions data through undertaking a greenhouse gas accounting exercise and expanding analysis to better understand scope 3 emissions sources. These activities have informed identification of additional opportunities to reduce emissions and will support refinement of future actions.

Building type definitions

List of departmental properties as at 2 July 2026

Current fleet as at 1 July 2026

Projected fleet 30 June 2027 (based on current replacement plans)