Will he advise what initiatives are being put in place by the Environmental Protection Agency to reduce and minimise carbon emissions?

ANSWER

The EPA is taking a lead role in carbon emissions reduction by working diligently to reduce its own environmental footprint. In fact, the EPA intends to be carbon neutral by 30 June 2008 by implementing a strategy of avoidance (no new emissions), reduction (reduce existing emissions) and offsetting (offset any unavoidable greenhouse gas emissions).

Achieving carbon neutrality is a critical step for the EPA to demonstrate leadership in organisational sustainability and to build credibility and influence with decision makers in government, industry and the community.

The EPA's estimated greenhouse gas emissions of 10,600 tonnes a year (based primarily on energy consumption and transportation) will be initially neutralised through avoidance (e.g. by purchasing GreenPowerTM) and purchasing appropriate carbon offsets from certified greenhouse gas offset providers.

The Government's Climate Change Policies commit each agency to achieving emission reduction targets and offsets from its entire vehicle fleet and energy consumption in government buildings by 2020. Currently the EPA is avoiding the creation of carbon emissions through the purchase of GreenPower at some sites, implementing energy efficiency measures through employee awareness campaigns and replacing old equipment with energy efficient appliances, and offsetting some of its vehicle emissions through the QFleet contract with GreenFleet to plant trees.

In addition, carbon neutrality for air travel is being achieved through the recently approved Queensland Government Air Travel Policy that requires all Departments to offset their air travel carbon emissions.

In future, proportionally less external offsets are expected to be required as greenhouse gas avoidance and reduction strategies are increasingly used to achieve carbon neutrality.

To achieve its goals, the EPA is developing a greenhouse gas abatement and mitigation plan, and evaluating the preferred long-term options of avoidance, reduction and offsetting, so as to identify the best economic, social and environmental outcomes.

To ensure probity is maintained, the EPA will seek independent verification and assurance of the Agency's greenhouse gas inventory, greenhouse gas abatement and mitigation plan and related activities to become carbon neutral by 30 June 2008.