Environmental performance

We remain committed to reducing our environmental impact. We are reviewing our Environmental and Sustainability Policy to consider processes and measures to further reduce our carbon footprint, including raising staff awareness of environmental issues.

This year we substantially reduced:

• total energy consumption (by 8.7%) with a resulting 6.6% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, despite an increase in full-time equivalent (FTE) staff
• water consumption (by 22% in real terms, or by 12% if disregarding a water leak in 2012–13), despite an increase in FTE staff
• energy consumption by 16.8% per FTE and by 6.5% per square metre of office space
• air travel for the third consecutive year (by 18.7% compared to 2012–13, and by 47.39% compared to 2010–11).

Greenhouse gas emissions

The emissions reported in the table below have been taken from subsequent sections of the report and collated here in order to define and summarise our total greenhouse gas emissions footprint.

Targets

Future targets are under review.

Explanatory note

Where possible, emissions are based on actual data provided by the energy suppliers. Otherwise, emissions are calculated using conversion factors sourced from Sustainability Victoria.

Energy

Following the closure of one office in December 2013, we now use electricity in 17 office locations across Victoria. Gas is supplied to two sites only.

The data below has been collected through energy billing information using Sustainability Victoria's Utility Tracker software program. The information represents 100% of sites and 100% of staff.

Where available the data is inclusive of energy consumption resulting from base building operations.

Total energy usage segmented by primary source (MJ)

Greenhouse gas emissions associated with energy use, segmented by primary source and offsets (t CO2 e)

Percentage of electricity purchased as a percentage of GreenPower

Units of energy used per FTE (MJ/FTE)

Units of energy used per unit of office area (MJ/m2)

Targets

Future targets are under review.

Actions undertaken

We refitted two of our offices with more energy-efficient light fixtures and fittings.

Explanatory notes

While Victoria Legal Aid has purchasing arrangements for green electricity, tenancy-related base building electricity lowers our overall GreenPower percentage. Referencing solely Victoria Legal Aid operational data, we achieved 21% green energy consumption.

Waste

The waste generated by processes within Victoria Legal Aid is divided into two classes – landfill and recycled. The data presented below is based on a one-day physical waste audit for landfill and commingled waste, and data from the service provider for paper recycling (secure destruction). While it only captures 56% of our FTE staff, all Victoria Legal Aid offices recycle their waste (65% have separate waste paper collection and 82% have commingled waste collection).

Total units of waste disposed of by destination (kg)

Units of waste disposed of per FTE by destination (kg/FTE)

Recycling rate (% of total waste by kg)

Greenhouse gas emissions associated with waste disposal (t CO2 e)

Targets

Future targets are under review.

Actions undertaken

We introduced separate waste disposal for commingled recycling in addition to paper recycling in our Melbourne CBD locations.

Paper use

The values for paper consumption given in the table below were provided by our stationery supplier.  They include both white and coloured copy paper (both A4 and A3).

Targets

Future targets are under review.

Explanatory notes

Data for 2012–13 was reported exclusive of coloured and A3-size paper. The data has been recalculated and now includes both white and coloured copy paper (both A3 and A4).

Water

The values for our water consumption were obtained through billing information captured through Sustainability Victoria's Utility Tracker. These results represent 98% of our employees and 94% of our office sites. Where available, the figures are inclusive of water consumption for shared tenancy space.

Targets

Future targets are under review.

Explanatory notes

The data reported for 2012–13 contained a keying error. The amended data is provided in the table above for comparison.

Note also that the data for 2012–13 includes one location with a substantial water leak for half the reporting period. To allow proper comparison of consumption against last year, the estimated consumption in 2012–13 without the leaked water is: 4,985 KL consumption; 9.24 KL/FTE; and 303.96 KL/m2.

Transport

The following data was obtained through fuel card data, mileage reports and information supplied by our hire car agency. It covers our entire fleet, which comprises 17 vehicles: 15 are operational pool vehicles and two are executive vehicles. The operational fleet consists of 15 hybrid and two six-cylinder vehicles.

The data also includes values for hybrid hire cars, which were used as pool cars when our vehicles were unavailable.

Total energy consumption by vehicles (MJ)

Total vehicle travel associated with entity operations (km)

Total greenhouse gas emissions from vehicle fleet (t CO2-e)

Greenhouse gas emissions from vehicle fleet per 1000 km travelled (t CO2-e)

Flights

Targets

Future targets are under review.

Explanatory notes

Air travel data is based on bookings paid for through our financial database. The distance travelled is based on an online flight distance calculator.

Procurement

Targets

Future targets are under review.

Explanatory notes

The decrease in percentage of ‘Earth Saver’ products purchased in comparison with last year is due to a change in reporting method. Last year our supplier’s calculations were based on consumption by item, whereas this year they are based on expenditure.