- Robert Lean & LCDR Philip Hall, Australian Government, Defence
Defence has a large, diverse and geographically spread estate with over 25,000 buildings and over 60 major bases, and operates a range of land, air and marine capability platforms which are energy intensive. Defence accounts for approximately 45 percent of the electricity used by facilities occupied by the Australian Government and 57 percent of liquid fuel (2004/05 consumption figures). While this may be relatively small in terms of Australia’s total national energy consumption, it indicates that Defence has a significant responsibility under the Federal Government’s Energy Efficiency in Government Operations policy to minimise energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.
In addressing this responsibility, Defence - as the largest greenhouse gas emitter and water user in the Australian Government - needs to be at the forefront of the Government’s efforts to reduce its own direct contribution to climate change and other environmental problems. Defence, therefore, has a unique opportunity to show leadership in achieving the Government’s goal of reducing carbon pollution by between 5 to 25 percent of 2000 levels by 2020.
This presentation provides an informative brief on how energy efficiency and sustainable development policy and planning in Defence is aligned with current Government policy directions and outlines how Defence is applying this governance to its infrastructure development and operations. Examples of how Defence is supporting a range of sustainability projects initiated within Defence and from the private sector are presented.
Defence has commenced an initiative to identify appropriate benchmarking for water and energy efficiency, and to improve the performance of its various building types including offices, data centres, accommodation, messes and warehouses. These initiatives will inform the future implementation of the Defence energy efficiency and water management policy and program across the Defence Estate.
BIOS:
Robert Lean is the Director for Climate Change & Sustainable Development in the Department of Defence. He is responsible for the development of Defence policies in the area of Energy, Water, Waste, Green Buildings and Climate Change and leads a range of national programs and initiatives to reduce Defence’s carbon footprint. Robert holds a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of NSW, has over 33 years experience in the building and construction field, and has worked for various State and Commonwealth public sector agencies since 1973. He joined Defence in 2003.
Lieutenant-Commander Philip Hall is a Royal Australian Navy Reserve Officer currently serving in the Defence Infrastructure Asset Development Branch. He has project management responsibility for the development and delivery of several Defence building and construction projects in Western Australia at a combined value exceeding $160m. Philip holds a Master of Engineering degree from RMIT, is a Fellow of the Institute of Engineers Australia, and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management. He has over 25 years combined experience in Defence and the delivery of government infrastructure. In private life he works internationally as a freelance business consultant specialising in complex project management, and is an Adjunct Professor to the Pacific Centre for Environment & Sustainable Development (PACE-SD) at the University of the South Pacific.