DIMIA Annual Report 2002-03
APPENDIX 10 - ECOLOGICALLY SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE
The department is committed to identifying, implementing and promoting best practice in environmental management, to operating in an ecologically sustainable manner and to providing an environmentally sound workplace that conforms to occupational health and safety requirements.
Key achievements in this area in 2002-03 are listed below:
- Implementation of an Environmental Management System based on ISO 14001
- Separation of recyclable and compostable waste throughout the department's central office. This has produced an estimated 50 - 70 per cent reduction of landfill waste from the office. A new cleaning contract, which includes weighing of waste and recyclable material, will provide verifiable data from 2003-04.
- Staff awareness and education has been promoted through a Waste Watch Network of local Ecological Sustainable Development 'champions'. Extensive information has been placed on the department's intranet.
- The practice of procuring recycled printing and copy paper is being adopted throughout the department. 927 toner cartridges were recycled.
- Since 1997-98 the department's national energy consumption, as set out in the table below, has been reduced from 16,492 Megajoules per person per annum to 8,635 Megajoules per person per annum (2002-03). The Commonwealth energy target of 10,000 Megajoules per person per annum by 2002-03 has been met by the department for three years in succession.
The following table outlines DIMIA energy performance as reported to the Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources:
| Financial Year | Building Tenant Light & Power | |
| MJ/pp/paA Target 10,000 by 2002-03 |
MJ/m2/paB No Target Set |
|
| 1997/98 | 16,492 | 794 |
| 1998/99 | 15,533 | 732 |
| 1999/00 | 12,169 | 587 |
| 2000/01 | 9,932 | 528 |
| 2001/02 | 9,849 | 467 |
| 2002/03 (Est) | 8,635 | 443 |
A: MJ/pp/pa = Megajoules per person per annum
B: MJ/m2/pa = Megajoules per square metre per annum
- With the occupation of the department's new central office building in April 2003, these figures are expected to continue to improve. The building specifications set very high environmental standards, from energy efficient lighting solutions through to the inclusion of a Building Management System. Early indications from Stage 1 of the building are that the building will meet the energy target set in the Commonwealth energy policy.
Migration and the Environment
The Minister consulted widely with members of the public and various community organisations, including environmental groups, when formulating the size and composition of the 2002-03 Migration Program.
Barring exceptional circumstances, the Migration Program will remain at the 2002-03 level for the next four years.
The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) report, 'Future Dilemmas: Options to 2050 for Australia's Population, Technology, Resources and Environment' was finalised in November 2002.
The report, commissioned by the department, considers the impact different future population scenarios could have on the environment, the physical economy, the national infrastructure and quality of life.
The report adds to the department's understanding of issues surrounding population growth and sustainable development, and will help inform the development of migration policy options.
State-specific Migration Initiatives have increased the dispersal of migrants to regional Australia.
These initiatives help to alleviate population and environmental pressures experienced in Australia's larger capital cities where increasing pollutant levels and urban sprawl threaten fragile ecosystems and quality of life.