How we do business

We are committed to providing our services within the carrying capacity of nature.

Recent studies indicate that our major impacts on the environment are because of the removal of water from nature, greenhouse gas emissions and the discharge of waste.

To address these impacts, we have set ourselves environmental targets and have developed programs to achieve them. Some of the highlights are outlined here. For more detail see the full Annual Report 2007-08 (PDF 3MB)

Achievements of the Green Office Strategy

In June 2006 we completed the implementation of the first Green Office Strategy for our Mitcham office. The strategy was successful over the three year period, with all goals met and initial targets exceeded. Major achievements of the strategy include:

• 61% less water used
• 61% less paper used
• 71% less waste sent to landfill
• 5% less electricity used per person

Other environmental targets we have achieved include:

• Reduced greenhouse gas emissions to 71% of our 1990s total through a combination of energy efficiency initiatives and purchasing green energy and abatement credits.
• 100% compliance with EPA licence standards at our sewage treatment plants, which discharge highly treated water to our waterways.
• A reduction in sewer spillage, with 99.9% of all sewage contained within the system.