Awards 2011

CitySwitch National Signatory of the Year 2011

ARUP Queensland

In addition to walking the talk, ARUP has really stood out this year for market innovation. They have combined and leveraged existing technology to generate real time performance data, which is no easy task. We commend them for looking into the future and creating practical solutions for connecting with staff and customers by making the invisible visible.

CitySwitch National Awards judging panel

As the creative force at the heart of many of the world’s most prominent built environment projects, Arup has applied their business approach to sustainability within their own office space.

The engineering and design consultancy has achieved a best practice landmark fit-out at their Brisbane headquarters, resulting in a 4 star NABERS Energy tenancy rating. Their efforts have involved equipment upgrades, a lighting retrofit project, embodiment of energy efficiency into company policy, and the implementation of innovative behaviour change programs. For example, the roll-out of a ‘be an energy hero’ poster campaign and the ‘Biggest Energy Loser’ competition, which saw office floors competing with each other to reduce energy consumption, were just some of the initiatives coordinated by the tenancy’s environmental volunteer team to engage staff on the energy efficiency journey.

A number of innovative technical solutions have also greatly assisted in ensuring a correlation between individual actions and overall outcomes. The Arup real-time data visualisation system for instance, allows staff members to directly see their collective energy, water, paper, and carbon emissions from air travel on flat screen displays installed on each office floor. The system also displays information such as the number of computers turned off overnight and has proven to be a great tool for staff to monitor their workplace consumption trends.

Martin England and Bruce Tanner of Arup accept the CitySwitch National Signatory of the Year Award outside their Fortitude Valley office as presented by Brisbane City Council’s Clr Peter Matic.

New Signatory of the Year 2011

Ernst & Young

As a new Signatory in Victoria, Ernst and Young have hit the ground running, demonstrating strong commitment to change with a system for tracking their performance and an ongoing program of activities. With lighting upgrades complete, we look forward to seeing their energy action plan formalising their next efforts for the coming year.

National CitySwitch judging panel

In 2011, Ernst & Young in Victoria have cut their office energy use by 97 tonnes, with 15 per cent accounted for by the employment of green power. The office lighting received a complete upgrade including the replacement of 880 50-watt halogen downlights to 20-watt, the dimming of office lights to 80 per cent, the installation of T5 lighting, and the upgrade of a lighting control system to achieve further efficiencies. Ernst and Young also participated in Earth Hour which resulted in the firm’s improvement in overall lighting switch-off practices for the rest of the year.

The firm also engages with cleaners to work together to achieve energy efficiency by switching lights off in meeting rooms that do not already have sensor systems in place. Monthly reports show Ernst & Young’s NABERS rating is improving and the organisation has plans in place to automate PC power savings for staff and put together a green team to help implement green strategies in the future.

Frank Gurrieri of Ernst & Young with the National New Signatory of the Year Award as received from the Hon Mark Dreyfus QC.

Winners under 2000sqm

New South Wales

135 on King

NABERS Energy rating:
Emission savings:
6.9 tonnes CO2-e
Key initiatives:
Full lighting upgrade, motion sensor lighting, timer controls on kitchen equipment, installation of flat-screen monitors, reduced PC sleep modes.

In addition to playing a strong advocacy role with their own tenants, this small office has made annual carbon pollution reductions of 6.9 tonnes through timer controls and lighting upgrades, by reducing the number of light fittings and installing motion sensors in meeting rooms. 135 on King replaced an inefficient instant boiling water unit, installed timer controls on kitchen equipment, invested in flat screen monitors, and reduced computer sleep modes to 5 minutes, insuring careful management of office equipment during office hours.

135 on King have demonstrated that you do not need to be a large tenancy to implement significant change. Smaller businesses can make a difference.

NSW CitySwitch judging panel

Den Jolly and Dean Smith of 135 on King accept the NSW CitySwitch Signatory of the Year Award from the Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore.


South Australia

Cundall

NABERS Energy rating:
Emission savings:
1400 (kWh)
Key initiatives:
Lighting retrofit, upgrade to HVAC, policy changes, instigation of a staff behaviour change program.

Driven by the consideration of people, design, environment and technology, Cundall have proven that “going green” and commercial pragmatism can happily coexist. With an average total waste generation amounting to less than 100 grams per person per day, as well as numerous light and energy upgrades, Cundall continue to persist in reducing their carbon footprint even further.

Cundall is a great example of a small tenancy taking a proactive approach, constantly measuring and monitoring its energy consumption and changing its behaviour to reduce its energy load.

SA CitySwitch judging panel

Adelaide City Council Lord Mayor Stephen Yarwood presents Paul Davy of Cundall with the SA CitySwitch Signatory of the Year Award.


Victoria

Public Transport Ombudsman

NABERS Energy rating:
Emission savings:
36% power reduction
Key initiatives:
Lighting retrofit (including the implementation of a sensor lighting control system), equipment upgrade, consolidation of servers, upgrade to energy efficient and mercury-free PC monitors, purchased 50% green power.

The Public Transport Ombudsman team has implemented a number of initiatives to reduce their carbon footprint including an extensive lighting and equipment upgrade, and employing 50 per cent green energy to power their office space. These initiatives have been driven by the organisation’s environmental management strategy and supported by an ongoing awareness and engagement program which includes staff competitions, monthly ‘spot audits’ and events.

The Public Transport Ombudsman has shown an ongoing dedication to office energy efficiency and the CitySwitch program. They are making the most of every opportunity to reduce energy use in their office.

Victoria CitySwitch judging panel

Left to right, front: The Hon. Mark Drayfus QC MP, Janine Young and Megan Cooper of Public Transport Ombudsman and the Victorian CitySwitch team.


Queensland

Energetics

NABERS Energy rating:
Key initiatives:
Energy Action Plan, development of their ‘eTeam’ to achieve sustainable best practice as applied to office technology, used ‘one2five™’ diagnostic tool, purchased 100% green power.

Energetics is the first Brisbane CitySwitch Signatory to achieve a 6 NABERS Energy rating for their tenancy. In line with their sustainability policy, Energetics drives continuous improvement by identifying and implementing internal carbon mitigation, sustainable procurement and behavioural change projects. Being an environmental role model is one of Energetics’ core business values.

Energetics is the first Brisbane CitySwitch Signatory to reach a 6 NABERS Energy rating for their tenancy. Such market leading efforts need to be rewarded.

Queensland CitySwitch judging panel

Stephen Clark of Energetics accepts the Queensland CitySwitch Signatory of the Year Award from Councillor Peter Matic.

Winners over 2000sqm

New South Wales

Norton Rose Australia

NABERS Energy rating:
Emission savings:
214 tonnes CO2-e
Key initiatives:
Behavioural change campaign supported by internal sustainability guide, upgraded video conferencing capabilities, full lighting and air-conditioning upgrade, improvements to PC power controls, virtualisation of computer server hardware.

Norton Rose has achieved a number of green milestones in their Grosvenor Place tenancy in Sydney by fostering behaviour changes amongst staff, improving lighting and air-conditioning technology, and developing efficiencies in web-conferencing and computer software virtualisation. The organisation’s internally developed carbon footprint calculator, sustainability guide and dedicated internal NABERS and CBD accredited assessor is a demonstration of their commitment to reduce their climate change impact.

CitySwitch would like to congratulate Norton Rose for their investment in the program and the work they have carried out this year including the roll-out of an internally developed carbon footprint calculator, forced computer shut-down each night, an increased virtualisation of their data centre and investment in video conferencing to replace much of the company’s interstate flying.

NSW CitySwitch judging panel

Lexia Wilson and Lionel Bird of Norton Rose Australia accept the NSW CitySwitch Signatory of the Year Award from the Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore MP.


Western Australia

Lavan Legal

Energy savings:
9.8% of total cost
Emission savings:
49.855 tonnes CO2-e
Key initiatives:
Full lighting upgrade, installation of LED monitors, virtualisation of servers, formation of a green team to shape policy, recycling and use of biodegradable products, installation of water-saver taps in kitchen.

Lavan Legal is a top tier law firm based in Perth and is proud to have been one of the first businesses in Perth to sign up to CitySwitch. The introduction of afterhours lighting sensors, replacement of PC’s and LCD monitors to more energy efficient alternatives and formation of a green team have led to impressive carbon emission reductions.

We congratulate Lavan Legal for continuing to demonstrate their commitment to minimising the firm’s impact on the environment.

WA CitySwitch judging panel

Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi presents Marco Marcello of Lavan Legal with the WA CitySwitch Signatory of the Year Award.


Victoria

Ernst & Young

NABERS Energy rating:
Emission savings:
106 tonnes CO2-e
Key initiatives:
Extensive lighting upgrade including the installation of LED lighting, dimmers, T5 lighting, participated in Earth hour, monitoring of energy use and savings.

Ernst & Young has achieved a NABERS Energy rating of 4.5 as a result of their latest energy action plan. As a new Signatory in Victoria, the organisation is demonstrating how simple changes to lighting fixtures and the commitment to ‘switch-off’ can lead to substantial savings in carbon emissions and energy costs.

As a new Signatory in Victoria, Ernst & Young have hit the ground running, demonstrating strong commitment to change with a system for tracking their performance and an ongoing program of activities. With lighting upgrades complete, we look forward to seeing their energy action plan formalising their next efforts for the coming year.

Victoria CitySwitch judging panel

Frank Gurrieri of Ernst & Young accepts the Victorian CitySwitch Signatory of the Year Award from from the Hon Mark Dreyfus QC


South Australia

Department for Families & Communities

Energy savings:
1.3 million (kWh)
Emission savings:
150 tonnes CO2-e
Key initiatives:
T5 lighting upgrades, purchase of low emission fuelled vehicles, roll-out of a Zero Waste management program, behaviour change initiatives including ‘switch-off your PC’ and ‘greening ambassadors’, consistently monitoring office performance, and providing advice to other local tenancies on how to perform a green roll-out.

As a state government department, DFC is highly committed to environmental sustainability and sees itself as a leader in greening office operations. DFC is wholly committed, through its low-carbon policies and committed changes, to continuously decrease their environmental footprint.

DFC’s CBD office won the CitySwitch Signatory of the Year in the over 2000 square metres category for the second year running. The Department has achieved significant cuts in energy use and expenditure through a variety of simple measure. They have undertaken regular energy ratings and made ongoing efforts to communicate its proactive approach to staff in smaller tenancies across the state.

SA CitySwitch judging panel

The Department for Families & Communities’ ‘Greening Ambassadors’ have championed a number of behaviour change initiatives to increase environmental sustainability of their office including a Zero Waste management program.


Queensland

Arup

Energy savings:
Key initiatives:
Energy Audit, installation of a Tridium building automation system enabling a NIAGRA energy management framework to be implemented throughout the building, live stream energy use, Internal Carbon Information System, various behavioural change initiatives such as ‘Biggest Energy Loser’ & the ‘Be an energy hero’ campaign.

Arup are leading the way in business efficiencies and demonstrating how green initiatives are a vital component in today’s business climate. The company’s best practice fitout has been complemented by a comprehensive energy action plan (updated annually) and the implementation of a number of innovative energy efficiency strategies.

Arup has implemented a range of impressive energy efficiency programs and strategies. This includes their innovative Biggest Energy Loser competition, where office floors compete for energy reductions. In addition, Arup launched their realtime data visualisation system making the invisible 'visible', allowing staff members to directly see their consumption trends.

Queensland CitySwitch judging panel

Carol Battle, Senior Consultant in Sustainability of Arup accepts the Brisbane CitySwitch award from Councillor Peter Matic.