Appendix J

Ecologically sustainable development and environmental performance

The Archives is developing an Environmental Management System (EMS) to ISO 14001 series framework standards for certification in 2005. The EMS covers the Archives’ four sites in the ACT. The Archives expects to use the certified template for all its facilities nationally.

Energy use reduction

Most of the Archives’ sites are sub-metered for power usage and several already have metered water consumption. Monthly energy meetings are conducted to review energy consumption, energy exception reporting, fault analysis and corrective action. Over the past five years, Archives has reported an overall energy reduction of 16.8 per cent. The target for 2005 is a further reduction of 5 per cent.

Waste

Archives’ sites in the ACT are weighing waste product outputs and monitoring results. Waste sent to landfill and material sent for recycling include toner/ printer cartridges, paper and paper products, classified waste, used photocopiers, mobile phones and associated car kits. The 2005 target is to recycle 60 per cent of all paper, glass and aluminium waste.

Photovoltaic system

Archives has installed a small photovoltaic system with solar panels mounted on the roof of the National Archives Building (East Block) in Parkes, ACT. The system is to be connected to the power grid and the output will be 2kW, sufficient to power the Federation Gallery. This experimental project will enable Archives to assess the viability of installing further photovoltaic systems, in order to meet the Australian Government’s target of 15 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions over five years.

Staff development

Facilities staff attend the Department of the Environment and Heritage Energy Policy Workshops for cultural institutions, and actively support the Australian Government’s commitment to improving energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in its operations.