Accountable authority sign off

The Australian Government released the Net zero in government operations strategy in November 2023, setting out the overall approach and action required by Commonwealth entities to achieve the APS Net Zero 2030 target.

The Net zero in government operations strategy represents a strong commitment by the Australian Government to lead by example on emissions reduction and contribute to the decarbonisation of Australia's economy.

National Archives of Australia is committed to the achievement of the government's APS Net Zero 2030 target. National Archives is following the APS Net Zero 2030 target in full, as per the Net zero in government operations strategy.

This emissions reduction plan describes the priorities and actions National Archives of Australia is taking to reduce our operational emissions and contribute to the APS Net Zero 2030 target.

Simon Froude
Director-General

8 November 2024

Emissions reduction plan

Purpose

National Archives of Australia is responsible for managing and implementing emissions reduction initiatives set by the Australian Government’s Net zero in government operations strategy (the strategy) developed by Department of Finance. The strategy sets out the Australian Government's approach to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions from its operations by 2030 and the reinstatement of public emissions reporting.

The goal of this emissions reduction plan is to provide a pathway for National Archives of Australia to contribute to the achievement of the APS Net Zero 2030 target through emissions reduction activities. This plan encompasses existing and new priorities and actions within National Archives of Australia to reduce emissions. 

This emissions reduction plan has been completed in accordance with the strategy, associated guidance and reporting standards for annual emissions reporting.

Net zero greenhouse gas emissions

APS Net Zero 2030 is the target set by the Australian Government to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions from government operations by the year 2030. It includes scope 1 and scope 2 emissions from activities in Australia and its territories, as described in the strategy. The APS Net Zero 2030 target applies at the aggregate level to non-corporate Commonwealth entities and generally covers the entirety of the entity's organisation. From an organisational perspective, this means minimising the greenhouse gas emissions that are within our control.

Governance and reporting

Progress against actions identified within this emissions reduction plan, and any additional measures adopted, will be included in our annual reports. This, combined with annual emissions reporting, will be used as a measure of National Archives of Australia's progress towards reducing its emissions.

As part of the Net zero in government operations annual progress report, the Department of Finance will aggregate these measures to provide whole-of-Australian Government emissions reporting.

National Archives of Australia operational context

National Archives of Australia provides leadership in best practice management of the official record of the Commonwealth and ensures that Australian Government information of enduring significance is secured, preserved and available to government agencies, researchers and the community.

National Archives of Australia has a leased property portfolio with 12 facilities across the Australian states and territories, supporting approximately 370 personnel. We operate corporate offices, exhibition spaces, public research centres and purpose-built temperature-controlled repository facilities for the storage and preservation of collection material in each state and territory. Each facility incorporates multiple operations with a variety of climate control conditions.

National Archives of Australia has implemented the following strategies to reduce the agency's environmental impact:

• Implementation of digital authorisations and workflow approvals
• Implementation of follow-me printers
• Inclusion of strategies to increase recycling and reduce waste and improve organic waste management in new cleaning contracts
• Commencement of consolidation project to reduce National Archives' property footprint through the consolidation of records and implementation of multi-use spaces for public-facing areas
• Subletting vacant repository space to cultural institutions.

In conjunction with landlords, the following building projects have been undertaken to reduce environmental impact:

• East Block Canberra – resulting in an increase of NABERS rating from 1 to 4.5: 
  • Plant and equipment upgrades
  • Lighting systems upgrades, including installation of LED lighting and timed/movement-triggered sensors
  • Replacement of the roof and installation of solar panels.
• Vicars St Mitchell, Canberra
  • Installation of additional solar panels
• Cannon Hill, Brisbane
  • Plant and equipment upgrades
• Chester Hill
  • Plant and equipment upgrades.

Baseline emissions

Baseline emissions are a record of greenhouse gases that have been produced in the past and were produced prior to the introduction of any strategies to reduce emissions. The baseline emissions from financial year 2022–23 are the reference point against which emissions reduction actions can be measured.

The baseline emissions for this plan focus on scope 1 and scope 2 emissions, consistent with the APS Net Zero 2030 target. Electricity-related emissions were calculated using the location-based method. The complete 2022–23 greenhouse gas emissions inventory tables for National Archives of Australia are presented in our 2022–23 annual report.

Engagement

In the development of this plan National Archives of Australia has been working with:

• facility landlords
• Department of Finance
  • Climate Action in Government Operations – to ensure that this plan aligns with the Net zero in government operations strategy and the Commonwealth Climate Disclosure requirements
  • Fleet Team – to discuss options associated with low emissions vehicles
  • Travel Team – to discuss options and considerations for lowering travel emissions
• neighbouring tenants – to discuss options for shared locations and any associated and relevant outcomes to lower emissions.

Emissions reduction targets

National Archives of Australia is following the APS Net Zero 2030 target in full, as per the Net zero in government operations strategy. The target covers the entirety of our entity’s operations within Australia and its territories for scope 1 and scope 2 emissions, as described in the strategy.

Priorities and actions

For National Archives of Australia to contribute to the achievement of the APS Net Zero 2030 target, targeted action on existing emissions reduction measures and the introduction of further or new measures is required. These actions are summarised in the following points, with further detail provided below:

• Improving buildings
• Procuring renewable electricity
• Transitioning the fleet vehicles to low emission vehicles
• Sustainable procurement.

Additional actions:

• Continuation of consolidation project
• Review of vehicle hire policy
• Review of travel data.

Buildings

General

Consult with landlords to consider options to lower emissions at each facility.

Action: Corporate Services branch will discuss potential building improvements to lower emissions with landlords including:

• encouraging inclusion in the NABERS program
• replacing aging plant and equipment with updated technologies
• procuring energy efficient equipment such as smart lighting systems
• consideration of environmental factors in new build, redevelopment and re-fit projects.

Timeframe: through regular management meetings and during lease extensions and negotiations.

Note: any options will consider heritage status, building structures and local requirements/legislation.

Chester Hill

Landlord to commence installation of LED lighting.

Action: Corporate Services branch will work with the landlord to replace faulty office and repository lighting with LED fixtures. Consideration will be given to upgrading all lighting at Chester Hill to LED – if the landlord progresses, this will not commence until early 2026.

Electricity

Renewable electricity

National Archives of Australia facilities with direct electricity contracts.

Purchase renewable electricity.

Action: Corporate Services will consult with the Department of Finance to ensure participation in WoAG electricity procurement as per the strategy and replace all electricity contracts with renewable electricity.

Timeframe: in line with WoAG electricity procurement.

National Archives of Australia facilities with electricity managed by landlord

Promote use of renewable energy.

Action: Corporate Services will encourage landlords to switch to renewable energy.

Timeframe: through regular management meetings and during lease extensions and negotiations.

Solar PV installation/upgrade

Consult with landlords to consider options for solar PV installation/upgrades.

Action: Corporate Services branch will discuss options for solar PV with landlords.

Timeframe: through regular management meetings and during lease extensions and negotiations.

Fleet

Review requirement for fleet vehicles and replace combustion vehicles with low emission vehicles.

Action: Corporate Services will work with the fleet team and state office managers to review the current fleet of vehicles including usage and requirements. As leases expire, low emission vehicles will be purchased (hybrid or electric) taking into account the distances travelled and purpose of vehicles.

Particular consideration will be given to options for the light vehicle used for collection management within the ACT. 

Timeframe: commence Q3 2024–25.

Review of vehicle hire policy

Review National Archives of Australia vehicle hire policy and associated data collection.

Action: Corporate Services will work with the finance team and state office managers to review and update the current vehicle hire policy and processes to incorporate:

• use of low emission vehicles where possible
• collection of usage data including fuel and kilometres driven to inform future improvements.

Timeframe: commence Q3 2024–25.

Review of travel data

Review National Archives of Australia travel data.

Action: Corporate Services will work with the finance team, and representatives of each branch to:

• review flight data for the past 3 to 5 years
• consider projects requiring travel over the next 3 years
• identify patterns and options for consolidation
• update policy and processes as required.

Timeframe: commence Q1 2025–26 financial year.