Sustainable procurement is the process of reviewing the items and services that your office purchases and selecting ones with lower environmental impact.
Long-time Signatory, the Victorian Department of Transport, Planning & Local Infrastructure, has achieved a number of operational gains including a 33 per cent reduction in energy use. With the help of the CitySwitch RMIT student program, resource audits have provided useful insights into staff 'switch-off' behaviour, waste avoidance tactics and office equipment procurement to achieve ongoing environmental and economic savings.
Auditing helps identify potential energy savings and can be done internally or externally. While your capacity to efficiency assessments will depend on resources and skill sets, CitySwitch provides templates and guidance to get started.
As part of their 'Toward Zero' strategy, City of Port Phillip conducted energy audits across their 250 building property portfolio. By implementing an impressive retrofit program across their portfolio and purchasing 25 per cent GreenPower, they reduced total emissions by 36 per cent.
An Energy Action Plan identifies options for operational efficiencies and outlines your priorities and investment needs for a tenancy. The Plan spells out what to do to get more out of office equipment and technology, staff behaviours and base building.
Equipment efficiency can be improved by upgrading to new models, automation and behaviour change.
Goodman Group have increased staff collaboration, job satisfaction and achieved energy savings of 46 per cent as a result of transitioning to an activity-based workplace. The CitySwitch award-winner cites an innovative staff change management program and technology upgrades as the key to the fitout's success.
Climate Friendly are striving for energy efficiency excellence by applying the simple philosophy of 'measure, offset, reduce and review'. The consultancy is ensuring effective ongoing measurement using technology such as PowerMate and FutureSwich, and has successfully created a switch-off culture at their Sydney office to meet a target 6 star NABERS Energy rating.
Baenziger Coles, an architecture and interior design company, has further optimised office energy efficiency by investing in renewable energy. As a result of feed-in tariffs and a reduction in energy use, the Melbourne office is enjoying a good return on investment, along with annual CO2 savings.
Sign up to the bi-monthly CitySwitch e-news below to receive program and industry news, latest resources and event updates.Also join in the discussion and share ideas via our LinkedIn group.