Policy
Department of Human Services Environmental Policy
During 2004 the department developed its Environmental Policy. The policy has a number of key aims and objectives to improve energy efficiency, energy conservation, reduce waste minimisation, reduce water consumption and greenhouse gas reduction.
The policy also facilitates the use of renewable energy, promotes technical innovation and establishes tangible objectives for environmental management.
The DHS environmental policy supports and is consistent with the Victorian Government’s policy, Growing Victoria Together and the Victorian Greenhouse Strategy.
DHS Environmental Policy (pdf, 154kb)
Victorian Government Policy
- 20% Energy Reduction Target and 10% Greenpower
- Victorian Greenhouse Strategy
- Growing Victoria Together
- Whitepaper: Our Water Our Future
- Victorian Government departments Environmental Management System
- Victorian Government Purchasing Board Environmental Purchasing Policy
The Victorian Government has set a requirement for a 15% reduction in Departmental building energy consumption and an increase in the purchase of Green Power to 5% of total electricity consumption by July 2005/06 (recently increased to 10%).
Victorian Greenhouse strategy
The Victorian Greenhouse Strategy was released in 2002 and details the actions the Government is taking in response to climate change on three fronts:
- The reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
- The sequestering of carbon through enhancement of greenhouse sinks
- The development and implementation of strategies to adapt to climate change
The Strategy also outlines the action Government Departments must take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from their own operations, including: reducing building energy consumption; increasing the use of electricity from renewable sources; reducing vehicle fleet related greenhouse gas emissions; offsetting vehicle fuel emissions through tree plantings; and the incorporation of high levels of energy efficiency in all major project developments.
For more information: visit www.greenhouse.vic.gov.au
Growing Victoria Together
Growing Victoria Together (GVT) is a framework that sets out the Government's ten year vision for balancing the State's social, environmental, and economic goals and actions.
GVT sets out ten goals with the aim of achieving a vision of Victoria that in 2010 will have:
- a thriving economy
- quality health and education
- a healthy environment
- caring communities
- vibrant democracy
For further details: see Growing Victoria Together - Growing Victoria Together Booklet
Victorian Government Purchasing Board Environmental Purchasing Policy
The Victorian Government Environmental Purchasing Policy aims to minimise the environmental impacts, as practicable, that result through the choices made in the purchase of goods and services. The key requirements are:
- incorporating environmental purchasing in procurement planning and tender procedures
- environmental impact consideration in the selection of goods and services.
For further details: see Victorian Government Purchasing Board - Purchasing Policy
Victorian Government Environmental Management System
In 2002, The premier announced a commitment for Government leading by example and announced that Victorian Government Departments would be required to adopt an Environment Management System (EMS), develop an environment improvement plan which includes waste reduction targets, comply with a Green Purchasing Policy, report annually on their environmental performance, and audit their EMS.
For more information visit:
Victorian Government’s Energy Management System
Water Whitepaper: Our Water Our Future: Securing Our Water Future Together
Victoria's prosperity depends on a secure water supply for our homes, farms, environment and industry.
Eight years of low rainfall, a growing population, climate change and degrading river systems have shown why the State needs new and better ways to secure water for the future.
Our Water Our Future, is an 'action plan' to enable smarter water use and management across the State.
Download Our Water Our Future: Securing Our Water Future Together from the Department of Sustainability and Environment website.