In January 2009, the Department finalised its Carbon Emission Reduction Plan which identifies a number of initiatives to reduce emissions which will be progressively examined and implemented over the next few years.

During 2008–09, we continued to procure more energy efficient personal computers and finalised a tender which will see the provision of multi-function devices to progressively replace all the current printers and photocopiers.

Other activities undertaken throughout the financial year included the investigation of setting up video conferencing facilities; offsetting all air travel emissions by payment to the Department of Premier and Cabinet; ceasing the use of plastic cups and bottled water; continuing with the recycling of toner cartridges; completing the replacement of single flush toilets with dual flush units; participating in Earth Hour; reducing the number of whitegoods; and replacing inefficient whitegood units with more efficient energy-rated units.

The Department continues to actively encourage the recycling of paper, newspapers, cardboard, bottles, cans and plastic containers. During 2008–09, we recycled 34 496 kilograms of material, compared with 22 624 kilograms in 2007–08.

The number of vehicles in our fleet has been reduced, with over 80 per cent of these vehicles now meeting the > 5.5 green rating target announced by the former Premier. We anticipate that all of our fleet will meet this target within the coming year.

The Department has set up systems which enable it to meet the Tasmanian Climate Change Office requirements for the entry of data into the Tasmanian Government Greenhouse Inventory System, which is used for ongoing data monitoring and reporting.

The internal Climate Change Working Group continued to meet throughout the year to consider staff ideas for emission reductions, and also to champion change.

The table below identifies our greenhouse gas emissions for the last three years:

Table 2.5: Carbon Emission Reduction Plan progress
	2006–07 Phase 1 CO2-e (tonnes)	2007–08 Phase 1 CO2-e (tonnes)	2008–09 Phase 1 CO2-e (tonnes)
Energy (Stationary Sources)
Electricity (from grid)	153.97	152.75	152.34
Energy (Transport)
Petrol vehicles	172.50	167.50	150.00
Diesel vehicles	…	…	2.90
Air Travel	61.37	58.96	74.12
TOTAL	387.84	379.21	379.36