The ACT Government is leading by example to achieve carbon neutrality in its own operations by 2020 through the implementation of the Carbon Neutral Government Framework. Endorsed in August 2012, the framework provides a whole-of-government approach to achieving sustained emissions reductions and energy savings to become carbon neutral in a cost-effective manner.
The 2012–13 ACT Budget provided $5 million to establish the Carbon Neutral Government Fund, which can provide loans to ACT Government agencies to invest in efficiency projects that will reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, and minimise the impact of rising energy costs. Energy savings are used to repay the loan, making these funds available for new projects.
Since 2010, 18 ACT Government projects have been established, with a total of $6.5 million in loans provided under the fund; $2.4 million worth of loans have already been repaid and those funds loaned for further projects. In 2014–15, these projects made an estimated saving of at least 7400 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions. Large-scale LED lighting projects installing internal lighting to more than 90 government buildings and schools have an estimated cost saving (once fully implemented) of $1.3 million per year, reducing electricity use by 20–30% at most sites.
The recently announced $3.3 million loan to the Health Directorate is for a combined project that includes an energy-efficient lighting upgrade throughout Canberra Hospital. This will reduce electricity consumed by the hospital by approximately 9%. Reducing electricity consumption also means a financial saving by decreasing the electrical load of the site. To further supplement the electricity reduction at the site, the Health Directorate will tender for a 500 kW solar photovoltaic system to be installed. The combined electricity savings from the lighting retrofit and solar photovoltaic system will produce annual savings of $490 000 each year. The loan will be fully repaid into the Carbon Neutral Government Fund during the coming years, to be made available for other energy efficiency projects.
Sustainable Skills Hub, Canberra Institute of Technology, Bruce. Photo: ACT Government
ACT Government electric vehicles. Photo: ACT Government