Environmental report 2024–25

About this report

Commonwealth agencies must meet statutory annual reporting requirements under Section 516A of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act). Under the Act, government departments must report annually on:

• how the agency's activities have aligned with the principles of Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD)
• how their departmental outcomes added to ESD
• their impacts on the environment and measures taken to minimise those impacts
• the review mechanisms  they used to minimise their impacts on the environment.

The department must report against the Australian Public Service (APS) Net Zero 2030 policy requirements. This policy is set by the government. It aims to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions across the Australian Public Service (APS) by 2030. The department contributes to the government’s APS Net Zero by 2030 target and is following the target in full, in line with the Net Zero in Government Operations (NZGO) Strategy.

 The mandatory reporting parameters for the 2024–25 financial year include:

• emissions generated from electricity
• natural gas
• solid waste disposal
• fleet, flights and domestic business travel (hire car and accommodation).

Reporting on refrigerants is optional for this reporting period.

The department’s environmental performance for the 2024–25 financial year is summarised below. 

Contribution of core business activities to ESD

Information about the department’s core business activities is in the annual report.

Operational environmental performance

Australian Public Service (APS) Net Zero 2030

As part of the NZGO Strategy, non-corporate Commonwealth entities, corporate Commonwealth entities and Commonwealth companies must report on their operational greenhouse gas emissions.

Greenhouse gas emissions for the 2024–25 period have been calculated in line with the APS Net Zero Emissions Reporting Framework. This is consistent with the whole-of-Australian Government (WoAG) approach as part of the APS Net Zero 2030 policy. Not all data sources were available at the time the report was written and amendments to data may be needed in future reports.

Emissions reported using location-based approach (t CO₂-e)

Notes about this table: 

• The table above presents emissions related to electricity usage using the location-based accounting method. CO₂-e = carbon dioxide equivalent.
• We collected emissions data on 'solid waste', 'domestic hire car' and 'domestic travel accommodation' for the first time in 2023–24.  The quality of data is expected to improve over time as emissions reporting matures.
• 'Refrigerants' are an optional emission source for 2024–25 emissions reporting.
• Stationary fuels were reclassified as ‘other energy’ in FY 2023–24.
• Flights, accommodation, and car hire booked outside of WoAG arrangements have not been included as there is no available data.
• Domestic travel data may contain some reservations for non-reporting entity employees. These emissions have been included as we could not separate them from the department's data, although they are not required by the APS Net Zero Emissions Reporting Framework.
• Commercial domestic flight data reported may contain some flights that were cancelled or not flown.
• Emissions from electricity consumed by electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles has only been reported for electricity directly bought by the department. Emissions associated with electricity consumption from public charging stations has not been reported for 2024–25. 

Electricity greenhouse gas emissions 2024–25

Notes about this table: 

• The table above presents emissions related to electricity usage using both the location-based and the market-based accounting methods. CO2-e = carbon dioxide equivalent. Electricity usage is measured in kilowatt hours (kWh).
• Renewable power percentage (RPP) was listed as ‘mandatory renewables’ in 2023–24 annual reports. The RPP accounts for the portion of electricity used, from the grid, that falls within the renewable energy target (RET).
• Jurisdictional renewable power percentage (JRPP), GreenPower and large-scale generation certificates were listed as ‘voluntary renewables’ in 2023–24 annual reports.
• The Australian Capital Territory is currently the only state with a jurisdictional renewable power percentage (JRPP).
• Reporting behind the meter solar consumption and/or production is optional. The quality of data is expected to improve over time as emissions reporting matures.   

CSIRO Lindfield 

The department collocates our National Measurement Institute (NMI) facility with CSIRO at Lindfield NSW. CSIRO had operational control of the site for FY 2024–25. This reporting period CSIRO will report the complete emissions as they fall within their own National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (NGER) Scheme boundary.

Lindfield is the department’s top emissions producing site (producing 54% of the total), so we capture our share of the site’s emissions below. This is separate to the APS Net Zero tables, and we include these in our emissions reduction activities. 

Emissions produced using location-based approach (t CO₂-e)

Notes about this table: 

• Total t CO2-e = total tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent.

Emissions Reduction Plan

Our Emissions Reduction Plan (ERP) sets out our planned activities and new initiatives to reduce emissions. The initiatives and targets in the ERP are signed off by the secretary as the accountable authority.

The department is progressing towards the APS Net Zero climate-related targets outlined in our ERP and will update the plan to reflect further progress in 2025–26.

Buildings

We have embedded sustainability targets in our leasing processes and decisions.

Leasing 

As defined by the Department of Finance, compliance with the NZGO Strategy is now a key component of the lease engagement process. The department committed to making leasing decisions that align with the NZGO Strategy. We did this by using a number of key considerations in the approach to market, including: 

• property electrification
• electric vehicle fleets
• National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS) rating requirements
• Net Lettable Area (NLA).

End of life asset replacement

The department is integrating sustainability into end-of-life asset replacement. Assets with improved sustainability and energy usage were installed over the reporting period, including commercial chillers and boilers, distribution boards, air-conditioning units and LED lighting. This has led to reduced energy consumption from the previous reporting period.

Energy

We have undertaken emissions data studies to better understand our baseline emissions at our top emissions producing sites. For the 2024–25 FY these include: 

• Port Melbourne Energy Audit
• Industry House NABERS Improvement Plan

Our energy-based emissions are concentrated across three sites which together account for nearly 81% of the department’s total energy consumption during FY 2024–25. The department will continue to prioritise these sites when considering emissions reduction measures. 

Two of these sites are NMI laboratories are operational 24 hours a day, 7 days a week due to sensitive and high value activities which adds complexity to our operating environment. 

The department continues to monitor energy use at CSIRO Lindfield, even though emissions from the site were excluded due to their NGER scheme boundaries. It continues to consume the largest amount of energy of all sites in our portfolio, contributing nearly 31% of our total portfolio emissions. However, the site continues to achieve offsets through a 10-year renewable energy power purchase agreement (PPA) established by CSIRO. 

The department’s Canberra sites continue to benefit from the ACT Government’s carbon emissions reduction program. The renewable power purchase (RPP) and joint renewable power purchase (JRPP) programs offset nearly 98.23%of carbon emissions at the department’s Canberra sites based on National Greenhouse Gas Accounting Factors 2024. The behind-the-meter solar PV system at Questacon offset approximately  8% of Questacon’s total electricity demand in the reporting period.

The department will continue to work with landlords to explore opportunities such as improving lighting efficiency and using roof space for solar PV installation. 

People, culture and capability

Our Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) is driving cultural change through championing department wide emissions reduction activities and representing the department at cross-governmental CSO forums. For example, the CSO supported the staff-led EcoNet initiatives to promote the use of reusable cups and digital clean-up day.

Travel and procurement

We are updating our travel and procurement policies to align with the NZGO Strategy objectives.

Fleet vehicles

The Net Zero in Government Operations fleet target states that 75% of new passenger vehicle orders should be low emission vehicles by 2025. The department did not order any new passenger vehicles in 2024–25 and the overall fleet size was reduced by 4 vehicles.

The 2026–27 NZGO Strategy review will consider commercial vehicles and may set targets to reflect options available in the market.

As of 30 June 2025 the department’s fleet consists of: 

Notes about this table:

• Hybrid passenger vehicles include unleaded and premium unleaded hybrid electric vehicles.
• Hybrid light commercial vehicles include diesel hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs).

In line with the NZGO Strategy and WoAG fleet policy, we have implemented a plan to transition to low emissions for: 

• passenger vehicles – as new orders are placed
• light and heavy commercial vehicles – where options are available and meet business requirements.
• furniture, fittings and equipment
• information and communication technology (ICT) goods
• textiles.

The department has completed feasibility studies at five of our sites to determine the best approach to installing electric vehicle charging stations.

Procurement 

The department considers environmental sustainability as part of its value for money assessment, in line with the requirements of the Commonwealth Procurement Rules. The department provides procurement guidance to support staff to undertake sustainable procurements. 

The new Environmentally Sustainable Procurement Policy (ESP Policy) is one of the procurement-related policies that procurement officials must consider in determining value for money. The ESP Policy is being gradually introduced.  It was first applied to procurements on construction services above $7.5 million in the 2024–25 financial year. 

From July 1 2025, the ESP Policy will apply to all procurements at or above $1 million for: 

• furniture, fittings and equipment
• information and communication technology (ICT) goods
• textiles.

Questacon

In the 2024–25 reporting year, Questacon:

• disconnected gas services from the Questacon Parkes premises
• generated 84,929 kWh of solar PV-based renewable energy replacing 8% of the grid demand
• removed remaining air conditioning equipment that uses refrigerant with a high global warming potential
• acted to address 2023–24 energy audit recommendations.   

Questacon has retained its ISO14001 environmental management system accreditation with successful completion of a compliance audit in January 2025. Questacon reduces environmental impacts through the environmental management system and ongoing energy efficiency and waste management improvements. 

In 2024–25 Questacon continued development of its Sustainability Action Plan. The plan, which focuses on Questacon’s contribution to the United Nations’ sustainable development goals (SDGs), will be introduced in FY 2025–2026. The plan incorporates the results of an SDG mapping exercise and audit, as well as a 2025 survey addressing staff attitudes and understanding of sustainability at Questacon.

Questacon continues to deliver experiences that promote better understanding of the environment and the science of climate change. Achievements in 2024–25 include the installation of the Mangroves exhibition, an update to the Climate Stripes exhibit on the foyer ramp, and ongoing delivery of Changing Planet shows.

Waste reporting

The department continues its commitment to sustainable waste management by emphasising recycling. 

The department captured waste data from 12 departmental premises during the reporting period, an increase from 9 departmental premises last financial year. 

The total waste generation was 207,041 kilograms. Of this, 100,412 kilograms (48%) was successfully diverted from landfill. 

The department is expanding our waste data collection by working with landlords to capture data from additional sites.