Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher Minister for Finance, Minister for Women, Minister for the Public Service
The Hon Chris Bowen MP, Minister for Climate Change and Energy
Senator the Hon Jenny McAllister, Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy
The Albanese Government has today released the Net Zero in Government Operations Strategy, delivering on an election commitment to demonstrate leadership by reducing the Australian Public Service’s own emissions to net zero by 2030.
This comes following the Government’s restoration of transparency through public emissions reporting that has seen entities report emissions in their 2022-23 annual reports.
The strategy outlines the approach and important steps to reducing emissions from Australian Government operations and transitioning to net zero in areas like property, energy, procurement, fleet and travel.
Key actions include:
- transitioning to renewable energy, facilitated through a whole of government coordinated procurement of electricity
- improving building energy efficiency and electrification
- transitioning the APS fleet to Zero Emission Vehicles where appropriate.
The Minister for Finance, Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher, said that the strategy is all about the Australian Government showing leadership in its strong commitment to emissions reductions and decarbonisation of Australia’s economy.
“There’s no reason why the Commonwealth Government can’t set the benchmark for major workplaces around the nation.
“This strategy is all about the Government leading by example by providing a credible path on how Government will reach net zero within its operations by 2030.”
The Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said the Albanese Government is ensuring the Australian public service leads by example and secures cleaner energy for its operations.
“Reducing public sector emissions shows how serious the government is about combatting the impacts of climate change, while reaping the economic opportunities from affordable renewable energy.”
Assistant Minister for Climate Change Jenny McAllister said the strategy will change the way the government ran properties and conducted business.
“The Albanese government is leading by example by making properties energy efficient, meaning they will use less energy, lower emissions, and be more comfortable in extreme weather,” Senator McAllister said.
“The strategy sets ambitious minimum energy performance standards for offices, data centres and warehouses, as well as encouraging the use of more energy efficient travel and accommodation. By setting energy performance standard we can drive down energy use and emissions.”
The strategy was developed through extensive consultation across the APS, industry, and with domestic and international stakeholders and was informed by entity emissions data, as well as domestic and international best practice.
A roadmap based on this strategy will be presented in Dubai at the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP28 on 8 December 2023 as part of the Albanese Government’s commitment to the US-led Net Zero Government Initiative in November 2022.
The full roadmap and full strategy are available on the Department of Finance website.
