5.7 The Department as a sustainable business
As discussed in section 2.1.1, the Department is a core contributor to the Government's initiatives for a sustainable New Zealand. The Department has a sustainable business practices plan, through which it will deliver on these commitments in a fiscally responsible way.
Actions in 2008-2009
The focus will be on:
- Collecting and reporting carbon footprint data.
- Implementing an emissions reduction plan which targets emissions from transport (vehicles, helicopters, domestic air travel) and electricity.
- Increasing use of electronic technology for meetings.
- Continuing to retrofit departmental houses to reduce energy use.
- Continuing to reduce waste going to landfill.
- Increasing the proportion of sustainable stationery items purchased.
- Updating contracts and tenders to include mandatory standards and guidelines from the Ministry of Economic Development regarding sustainable procurement.