Australian Government Green Office Audit

The Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) reported on "Green Office Procurement and Sustainable Office Management" 11 March 2009. As well as the summary Audit Brochure there is the full Audit_Report.

Information and Communications Technology

24. In an office environment, data centres, computers, printers, copiers and multi-functional devices all consume energy. Large organisations can spend up to ten per cent of their ICT budgets on energy costs.

Government agencies purchase, lease or consume a significant range of goods and services. In 2007–08, the procurement of goods and services by Australian Government agencies was valued at over $26 billion. These include office supplies, vehicles, information and communications technology, energy, waste and water services as well as office buildings and facilities. While these goods and services are procured for agencies to achieve their outcomes, they do have an environmental impact. This impact includes greenhouse gas emissions (such as from energy consumption in buildings and from vehicles), waste to landfill from paper, equipment and office refurbishments as well as the consumption of scarce resources such as fresh water and fossil fuels.

The Australian Government has indicated that it is seeking to be at the forefront of environmental purchasing practice. In May 2008, the Prime Minister also commented that ‘the Government accepts its own responsibility to provide practical leadership…with practical measures to reduce our own environmental footprint and measures to harness savings from more efficient use of energy and water’. ^...

In an office environment, data centres, computers, printers, copiers and multi-functional devices all consume energy. Large organisations can spend up to ten per cent of their ICT budgets on energy costs.

Energy use in ICT

The ANAO’s 2005 audit recommended that agencies consider energy efficiency in their ICT purchases. In the 2008 survey, 65 per cent of agencies advised that they now consider energy consumption in their ICT procurement. In addition, the vast majority of agencies indicated they had implemented at least one measure to reduce energy consumption of office and ICT equipment. Some of the 48 per cent of agencies who shut down personal computers (PCs) overnight, reported significant savings from the initiative.

Data centres are a significant area of energy use, typically accounting for 15 to 40 per cent of tenancy energy consumption. An Environment review has identified potential energy savings of up to 33 per cent for data centres through better design layout and upgrading infrastructure. An Environment pilot computer infrastructure project also identified energy savings of 83 per cent compared to the traditional model.

ICT Waste (e-waste)

Approximately 100 000 desktop computers and laptops are being replaced by the Australian Government every year. A significant proportion will end up in the waste stream. Only 16 agencies (25 per cent) reported that their contracts for the supply of ICT included product stewardship requirements in relation to the disposal of ICT equipment. There has been a lack of progress in developing national standards for ICT waste management. However, this should not preclude agencies from giving priority to this area. ...

From: Audit Brochure, "Green Office Procurement and Sustainable Office Management", ANAO Audit Report No.25 2008–09, 11 March 2009.

Energy use in ICT
Energy use in ICT

25. The ANAO’s 2005 audit recommended that agencies consider energy efficiency in their ICT purchases. In the 2008 survey, 65 per cent of agencies advised that they now consider energy consumption in their ICT procurement.

In addition, the vast majority of agencies indicated they had implemented at least one measure to reduce energy consumption of office and ICT equipment.

Some of the 48 per cent of agencies who shut down personal computers (PCs) overnight, reported significant savings from the initiative.

26. Data centres are a significant area of energy use, typically accounting for 15 to 40 per cent of tenancy energy consumption. An Environment review has identified potential energy savings of up to 33 per cent for data centres through better design layout and upgrading infrastructure. An Environment pilot computer infrastructure project also identified energy savings of 83 per cent compared to the traditional model.

ICT Waste (e-waste)

27. Approximately 100 000 desktop computers and laptops are being replaced by the Australian Government every year. A significant proportion will end up in the waste stream. Only 16 agencies (25 per cent) reported that their contracts for the supply of ICT included product stewardship requirements in relation to the disposal of ICT equipment. There has been a lack of progress in developing national standards for ICT waste management.
However, this should not preclude agencies from giving priority to this area. ...

From: "Green Office Procurement and Sustainable Office Management", ANAO Audit Report No.25 2008–09, 11 March 2009.