MEASURES TO SUPPORT ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY ICT

AUGUST 2005

Prepared by

Department of Finance and Administration Australian Government Information Management Office

King Edward Terrace Parkes ACT 2600

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© Commonwealth of Australia 2005 ISBN (online) 1 74082 095 9

This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced by any process without the prior written permission from the Commonwealth. Requests and enquiries concerning reproduction and rights in this publication should be addressed to:

Commonwealth Copyright Administration Attorney-General’s Department Robert Garran Offices National Circuit Canberra ACT 2600

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CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS iv

1. INTRODUCTION 1

2. NEW DEVELOPMENTS 2 Environmental Purchasing Guide and Checklists 2 Environmentally friendly procurement performance audit 2 Environmentally friendly procurement networks and online databases 2 Criteria for exporting and importing used electronic equipment 3 ICT and electronics recycling initiative 3

3. THE NEXT STEPS FOR THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT 4 Better practice checklist: environmental strategies for ICT 4 ICT investment: environmental ICT module 4 ICT sourcing guide: environmental ICT advice 4

4. PROGRESS OF GOVERNMENT/INDUSTRY INITIATIVES 5 Product stewardship 5 National Packaging Covenant 6 National ENERGY STAR™ Program 6 Energy Allstars 6 Regulating energy efficient power supplies and computers 6 Restrictions of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic products 7 Managing televisions at end-of-life 7 Recycle IT! 7

5. PROGRESS OF ICT INDUSTRY INITIATIVES 8 International Environmental Standards Handbook for Small Enterprises 8 Eco labelling 8 Initiatives of individual ICT firms 8 Mobile phone recycling 8

6. OVERVIEW OF RESPONSES TO THE DISCUSSION PAPER 9 Options proposed for Australian Government consideration 9 Options proposed for consideration by the ICT Industry 10 Additional suggestions proposed 10

GLOSSARY 11

APPENDIX A: RESPONSES TO DISCUSSION PAPER OPTIONS 12

APPENDIX B: SUMMARY OF DISCUSSION PAPER RESPONSES 18

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The following organisations contributed to this report:

Department of the Environment and Heritage; Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts; Australian National Audit Office; Procurement Policy, Department of Finance and Administration; Australian Electrical and Electronics Association; Australian Information Industry Association; Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association; and Australian Environmental Labelling Association.

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1. INTRODUCTION

The rapid growth across Australia in the use of information and communications technology (ICT) has prompted further consideration of how to better manage and reduce the environmental impacts, including energy consumption, from using ICT.

Through product stewardship, recycling and conservation strategies, and provision of guidance, government and the ICT industry are seeking to improve environmental outcomes from use of ICT. The Department of the Environment and Heritage (DEH) is working closely with the ICT industry and other stakeholders to develop strategies for appropriate packaging, and effective recycling, reuse and disposal of ICT products at the end of their life. At the same time, the ICT industry is addressing environmental considerations for manufacturing, product use, design and disposal.

The Australian Government gave an election commitment to implement guidelines for the environmentally sound use of ICT within agencies. Measures in Support of Environmentally Friendly ICT (the Discussion Paper), was prepared by the Australian Government Information Management Office (AGIMO) in consultation with government1 and ICT industry2 stakeholders. It was released in August 2004 and canvassed what, if any, measures were required to supplement activities already in place to address environmental issues relating to the use of information and communication technology (ICT).

The Discussion Paper identified an already substantial range of programmes being implemented across government and the ICT industry to further advance environmentally sound use of ICT. Numerous responses were received to the Discussion Paper

This report:

• identifies new initiatives that commenced since the Discussion Paper was released, particularly in respect of purchasing, hazardous waste and recycling (Section Two);

• notes further activities by the Department of Finance and Administration (Finance) through AGIMO in respect of ICT sourcing and better practice guides to underpin best practice in the environmentally sound use of ICT (Section Three);

• notes progress of existing government and ICT industry activities (Sections Four and Five); and

• summarises responses to the Discussion Paper (Section Six and Appendix A and B).

1 Government agencies consulted included Department of the Environment and Heritage; Australian Greenhouse Office; Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet; Department of Education, Science and Training; Department of Finance and Administration; Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts. 2 ICT Industry bodies consulted included Australian Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers Association; Australian Information Industry Association; Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association; Australian Environmental Labelling Association.

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2. NEW DEVELOPMENTS

Recent initiatives to improve the environmental impact of using ICT that have commenced since the Discussion Paper was published in 2004 are outlined in this section.

Environmental Purchasing Guide and Checklists

The Department of the Environment and Heritage (DEH) released the Environmental Purchasing Guide and Checklists in November 2004 to provide voluntary guidance to Australian Government agencies on environmental considerations of procurement.

The Environmental Purchasing Guide introduces the principles of environmental purchasing. It includes information on how current Australian Government policy requires procurement officers to consider relevant environmental costs and benefits, such as disposal costs or operating energy consumption, as part of the value-for-money equation in procurement decision-making.3 The Environmental Purchasing Checklists deal with environmental issues relevant to 15 commonly purchased goods and services, including computers, printers, photocopiers and other ICT products.

DEH expects to make an environmental purchasing training package available to agencies in 2005-2006.

Environmentally friendly procurement performance audit

During 2005 the Australian National Audit Office is conducting the first cross-portfolio performance audit of environmentally friendly procurement. The objective of the audit is to assess and report on progress Australian Government agencies are making in:

• realising value for money from procurement of office buildings, services and products using whole-of-life-cycle assessments

• considering and managing environmental impacts in specifications and contracts for office buildings, equipment and services.

A survey of a range of Australian Government agencies will provide benchmarking information on the range of costs and current practice for procuring common-use office products and services, including ICT products.

It is anticipated that benchmarking information obtained from the audit will help agencies develop their annual procurement plans. Further, it is expected that the audit will reveal examples of good practice and lessons learned in compliance with environmental requirements. This information could be used to form the basis of useful guidance for agencies in the future.

Environmentally friendly procurement networks and online databases

The Australian Environmental Labelling Association (AELA) has established a ‘National Green Purchasing Network’. This network shares information and knowledge on a wide range of products and services, including ICT. To support this environmentally friendly procurement initiative, an online database was launched by AELA in April 2005. This

3 See http://www.deh.gov.au/industry/agency-performance/purchasing/index.html for more information on the Guide and Checklists.

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database provides information on the environmental performance of a wide range of consumer products, including ICT products. 4

The New South Wales Government has established a new website to provide information about sustainable purchasing and environmentally friendly products, including ICT products.5

Criteria for exporting and importing used electronic equipment

Used electronic equipment proposed to be exported or imported may be considered a hazardous waste under Australia’s Hazardous Waste (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act 1989.

In April 2005, the Minister for the Environment and Heritage released a set of criteria to be used in assessing whether or not such equipment requires a permit under the Hazardous Waste Act.6 This criteria was reinforced by the publication of guidelines in July 20057. This initiative will substantially clarify the legal position of such shipments for industry engaged in this activity. These criteria require product testing prior to export and that those selling used electronic equipment to another party, who may then export that product, should ensure the exporter is aware it is an offence to sell equipment which is in breach of the Hazardous Waste Act.

ICT and electronics recycling initiative

The SIMS Group Ltd and Collex Pty Ltd launched a new computer and electronics fee-for-service recycling initiative on 6 March 2005 – Clean Up Australia Day. This recycling project will allow recovery of metals, circuit boards, plastics and cathode ray tube glass. Components will be processed individually, with computer tracking of brand equipment to enable recycling of components.

To support improved recycling of electrical products, the Australian Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers’ Association (AEEMA), Intelligent Manufacturing Systems (IMS) Australia, the Industrial Research Institute Swinburne and telecommunications waste specialist MRI Australia8 are collaborating in an international research and development programme for recycling plastics.

4 Further information about the National Green Purchasing Network and database is available from http://www.greenprocurement.org 5 Information about the Greengoods web site provided by the New South Wales Government is available from http://www.greengoods.nsw.gov.au 6 Further information is available from http://www.deh.gov.au/industry/chemicals/hwa/pubs/used-electronics.pdf 7 Further information is available from http://www.deh.gov.au/settlements/publications/chemicals/hazardous-waste/electronic-paper.html 8 Further information is available from http://www.mri.com.au/

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3. THE NEXT STEPS FOR THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT

The Australian Government will supplement existing activities by delivering the following products.

Department of Finance and Administration

Through AGIMO, Finance will augment Australian Government guidance on environmentally sound ICT use through the following products.

Better practice checklist: environmental strategies for ICT

This checklist will support Australian Government agencies in their efforts to better address environmental impacts from the use of ICT. The checklist will be developed in collaboration with other agencies and the ICT industry. It will cross reference existing government guidance on environmental ICT matters, in particular that provided by DEH in the Green Office Guide9 and the Environmental Purchasing Guide and Checklists. The checklist will be published by the end of 2005.

ICT sourcing guide: environmental ICT advice

In consultation with the Sourcing Working Group of the Information Management Strategy Committee, the next edition of The Guide to ICT Sourcing for Australian Government Agencies will be amended to include information on environmental outcomes, such as product energy efficiency, recycling and reuse policies and practices of suppliers, in ICT sourcing strategies.

ICT investment: environmental ICT module

Finance is in the process of reviewing approaches to assessing demand, value and the cost of ICT investments. Through AGIMO it will develop an ancillary module to assess environmental considerations.

Department of the Environment and Heritage

DEH will augment Australian Government guidance on environmentally sound ICT procurement through the following product.

Environmental purchasing checklist: ICT services DEH will develop an environmental purchasing checklist for ICT services contracts in consultation with industry and government.

9 The Green Office Guide is available from DEH at http://www.deh.gov.au/industry/agency-performance/purchasing/green-office-guide.html

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4. PROGRESS OF GOVERNMENT/INDUSTRY INITIATIVES

This section provides an update on the progress of joint initiatives by government and the ICT industry that were outlined in the Discussion Paper.

Product stewardship

Product stewardship is a priority area for national action by the Environment Protection and Heritage Council (EPHC)10. DEH continues to work closely with governments and the ICT industry, across Australia, to develop product stewardship arrangements to reduce environmental impacts of ICT products over their lifecycle, including end-of-life considerations.11

A Discussion Paper, Co-Regulatory Frameworks for Product Stewardship12, was released for comment by the EPHC in December 2004. The responses to this Discussion Paper, including those from the ICT industry, indicated overwhelming support for a co-regulatory approach. On 1 July 2005 the EPHC agreed to initiate the development of a National Environment Protection Measure for the co-regulation of product stewardship.

In this context the Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA) is continuing its development of a national industry-led approach to product stewardship for computers, with a the launch on 1 July 2005 of a programme for dealing with historical computer waste13. The Consumer Electronics Suppliers Association’s (CESA) new producer responsibility organisation, Product Stewardship Australia Ltd (PSA Ltd) 14, is progressing its product stewardship scheme for televisions, which was publicly announced in 2004. This scheme is intended to be expanded in the future to include other electrical products, including ICT products. The EPHC is also working with the mobile phone industry to improve the effectiveness of its voluntary product stewardship scheme.

The findings of a baseline study into household electrical product waste are expected to be used to help improve recovery and recycling of computers and consumer electronic products. This study is being carried out in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Adelaide and Perth by Product Stewardship Australia Ltd and state and territory governments.

In another joint ICT industry/government activity, CESA, AEEMA, PSA Ltd and DEH are participating in a new Standards Australia Reference Panel on Environmental Standards for Electrical and Electronic Products and Systems. This panel will contribute to international work on materials declaration, testing hazardous substance content, and environmentally conscious design.

10 Information about the Environment Protection and Heritage Council is available at http://www.ephc.gov.au/ 11 Information about product stewardship is available from the Department of the Environment and Heritage at http://www.deh.gov.au/industry/waste/index.html 12 The Co-regulatory Frameworks for Product Stewardship Discussion Paper is available at http://www.ephc.gov.au/ephc/product_stewardship.html 13 For further information see http://www.aiia.com.au/i-cms.isp?page=805&PHPSESSID=5f5f6dd615602b87f299e4e641c49352 14 Information about PSA Ltd is available from www.productstewardship.asn.au

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National Packaging Covenant

The National Packaging Covenant is a co-regulatory agreement between industries in the packaging chain and all spheres of government. It aims to reduce the environmental impacts of packaging. ICT firms are among the 620 business signatories to the Covenant.

In July 2005, and after comprehensive evaluation, EPHC agreed to continue a considerably strengthened Covenant for a further five years. The Covenant now commits signatories to no new packaging going to landfill and to a national recycling target for packaging of 65 per cent (up from the current 48 per cent) by the end of 2010.

National ENERGY STAR™ Program

The National ENERGY STAR™ Program15 is based on international standards for energy efficient office equipment such as computers, printers and photocopiers. It sets energy-efficiency performance criteria that must be met in order for a product to qualify for the Energy Star Label.

Australian Government departments and agencies are required to purchase only office equipment that complies with the US Environment Protection Agency Energy Star standard, where it is available and fit for purpose’.16 ICT products are included in this program.

Energy Allstars

Through the Energy Allstars web site17 the Australian Greenhouse Office seeks to stimulate the market for energy efficient electronic products and provide incentives for ICT firms to participate in a voluntary energy efficiency programme.

The Energy Allstars web site was released in January 2005. It will include data about ICT products from late 2005. The Australian Greenhouse Office is working with government procurement officers to encourage use of information provided on this web site as a reference for large-scale government procurement, including ICT procurement.

Regulating energy efficient power supplies and computers

The Australian Greenhouse Office is developing mandatory Minimum Energy Performance Standards18 for:

• external power supplies (from 2006)

• personal computers (from 2007)

• monitors (from 2007).

This measure will ban the poorest performing products from the Australian market. The project is being undertaken in consultation with other governments, in particular the United States of America, China and the European Union.

15 Further information is available from the Australian Greenhouse Office at www.energystar.gov.au 16 Industry Science Resources, Energy and Environment Division 2000, Measures for Improving Energy Efficiency in Commonwealth Operations, available at www.edgar.gov.au/Links_And_Documents/Policy.pdf 17 Further information is available from http://energyallstars.gov.au/ 18 Further information is available from the Australian Greenhouse Office at www.energyrating.gov.au

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Restrictions of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic products

AEEMA’s Electronics Supply Chain Management Forum has established a Working Group to focus on the issues associated with the European Union Directive on Waste Electrical and Electronic and Restrictions of Hazardous Substances. This Working Group will consider in particular how Australian electronic manufacturers might address the issue of lead-free solder.

Australian Government agencies are considering the feasibility of Australia harmonising with the standards included in the European Union Directive.

Managing televisions at end-of-life

Televisions and computer monitors contain similar components and technology. They contain potentially hazardous materials and managing their disposal is a priority for government and the ICT industry.

PSA Ltd was recently established to manage environmentally responsible end-of-life disposal of televisions.19 Major players in the Australian television industry have signed up to participate in PSA’s product stewardship programme. Signatories include Sony Australia, NEC Australia, Sharp Corporation of Australia, Philips Electronics, Panasonic Australia, LG Electronics, Hagemeyer Brands Australia (JVC), Dick Smith (Wholesale), Samsung Electronics, Castel Electronics and Sanyo Oceania. There is potential to expand this programme, or apply a similar one, to other products such as computer monitors.

Recycle IT!

The findings of the Recycle IT!20 project are being used by the AIIA to underpin development of a national voluntary industry-driven product stewardship strategy. This strategy seeks to address shared responsibility for environmental management of e-waste at the end of its useful life.

19 To manage the end-of-life disposal of televisions, the Consumer Electronics Suppliers Association, which is administered by the Australian Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers Association, established a Producer Responsibility Organisation named Product Stewardship Australia Ltd in 2004. 20 The Recycle IT! project was developed in partnership by the Australian Information Industry Association, the New South Wales government and Clean Up Australia in 2003. A report of the project is available from the Australian Information Industry Association. Further information is available from http://www.aiia.com.au/i-cms.isp?page=139 and http://www.resource.nsw.gov.au/data/recycleit_summary.pdf

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5. PROGRESS OF ICT INDUSTRY INITIATIVES

This section provides an update on the progress of the initiatives being undertaken by the ICT industry that were outlined in the Discussion Paper.

International Environmental Standards Handbook for Small Enterprises

The AIIA is developing the International Environmental Standards Handbook for Small Enterprises to help small ICT enterprises achieve basic compliance with relevant international standards. The costs associated with achieving full accreditation under international standards can be significant for small ICT enterprises. The handbook is nearing completion.

Eco labelling

AELA has established mutual recognition frameworks for eco-labelling with Australia’s primary trading partners for ICT equipment to further advance independent assessment of manufacturers’ environmental credentials. Trading partners include China, South Korea and Taiwan.

Expert roundtables on the challenges and opportunities for environmentally friendly procurement and eco-labelling are held regularly.

Initiatives of individual ICT firms

A number of ICT firms have implemented initiatives to reduce or better manage the environmental impact of their products, either through better product design, known as eco-design, or product take back and recycling programs. Examples are provided in Appendix B.

Mobile phone recycling

In 2000 the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA) instigated the voluntary industry-funded Mobile Phone Industry Recycling Program. Since then, more than 1.7 million mobile phone batteries and handsets have been collected for recycling from 1600 collection points across the country.

A recent consumer research study showed that people are reluctant to part with their old mobile phones. This research estimates that 42 per cent of people keep old mobile phones and a further 18 per cent give them away. The industry estimates there are more than 12 million mobile phones stored in homes and offices around Australia. The industry is working on a social marketing programme aimed at stimulating collection activity.

The EPHC has agreed to work more closely with the AMTA to explore options to strengthen the existing voluntary mobile phone scheme. This may include the development of targets and reporting requirements.

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6. OVERVIEW OF RESPONSES TO THE DISCUSSION PAPER

The Discussion Paper elicited seventeen responses from government agencies, ICT industry bodies, individual ICT firms, community organisations and individuals. Some stakeholders involved in preparing the Discussion Paper also provided comment during the consultation phase.21

Respondents supported the overall direction of the Discussion Paper. Consultation responses were published on the Finance web site at http://www.agimo.gov.au/government/enviro_friendly_ict/responses.

A number of ICT firms provided further information about their environmental ICT initiatives. Details are provided in Appendix B, which contains a summary of all responses received from consultation on the Discussion Paper.

This section provides a broad overview of options proposed in response to the Discussion Paper. Further information is provided in Appendix A.

Options proposed for Australian Government consideration

The three options outlined below were proposed in the Discussion Paper for consideration by AGIMO.

1. Development of an Australian Government Better Practice Checklist.

2. Amendment of the next edition of The Guide to ICT Sourcing for Australian Government Agencies, to include consideration of environmental outcomes relating to ICT sourcing.

3. Implementation of a new Australian Government Internet-based register of ICT industry eco-design, recycling and reuse initiatives.

It is proposed that Finance, through AGIMO, will implement Option One by the end of 2005. Option Two will be implemented in consultation with the Sourcing Working Group of the Information Management Strategy Committee. In addition, it is proposed that AGIMO include environmental considerations in ICT investment frameworks being developed for Australian Government agencies in 2005-2006.

In respect of Option Three, no new AGIMO activity is proposed, as this would duplicate existing government and ICT industry initiatives detailed in Appendix A.

The Discussion Paper proposed further options for broader consideration by the Australian Government regarding Environmental Management Systems (EMS) and reporting on environmental measures.

All Australian Government agencies report on environmental measures as a requirement in providing an annual report. In addition, the implementation of EMS by Australian Government agencies continues to progress on a voluntary basis. Agencies provide triple bottom line reporting on a voluntary basis.

As activity in these areas is ongoing, no further Australian Government activity is proposed.

21 In addition to providing input to the Discussion Paper, these stakeholders also provided a response: Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts; Australian Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers Association; Australian Environmental Labelling Association.

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Options proposed for consideration by the ICT industry

The summary below outlines how the ICT industry is addressing the four options proposed in the Discussion Paper for its consideration. Further detail of these activities is provided in Appendix A.

4. Promotion of more visibility of ICT industry eco-design, recycling and reuse initiatives is provided through existing government and ICT industry activities.

5. Coordination of activity across the ICT industry sector continues to be enhanced, particularly with the two major Australian ICT industry bodies, AEEMA and the AIIA, considering merging to create a new ICT industry.

6. Participation of the ICT industry in product stewardship arrangements is ongoing, with new ICT industry activities under development.

7. Implementation of an EMS by ICT industry is growing. The AIIA is developing information to assist small and medium enterprises achieve basic compliance with international standards. Sections 5.3 to 5.6 of the Commonwealth Procurement Guidelines – January 2005 (CPGs) outline requirements aimed at ensuring that SMEs are able to engage in fair competition for Australian Government business.

Additional suggestions proposed

This section lists additional suggestions proposed in response to the Discussion Paper. Appendix A outlines a broad range of government and ICT industry initiatives already in place to address these additional suggestions. No further Australian Government action is proposed in response to the suggestions listed below.

• Environmentally friendly government procurement.

• Enhancing community access to unwanted computers and highlighting community reuse initiatives.

• Highlighting international, state, territory and local government initiatives.

• Enhancing government resource use.

• Identifying opportunities for government collaboration.

• Instituting Clean Up ICT as an extension of Clean Up Australia.

• Incorporating environmental standards into the Government ITC Framework.

• Recognising environmental labelling.

• Developing a better practice checklist by and for ICT industry.

• Establishing Australian Government Awards for environmentally friendly ICT.

• Highlighting the environmental benefits of Telework.

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GLOSSARY

AEEMA Australian Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers’ Association

AELA Australian Environmental Labelling Association

AGIMO Australian Government Information Management Office

AIIA Australian Information Industry Association

DCITA Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts

DEH Department of the Environment and Heritage

Design for environment Refers to reducing the environmental impacts of products through better design, such as using less toxic components, or making the product easier to disassemble and reuse.

Environmental impact Any change to the environment, whether adverse or beneficial, wholly or partially resulting from an organisation’s activities, products or services.

Environmental Management System

This is a tool for managing the impacts of an organisation’s activities on the environment. It provides a structured approach to planning and implementing environment protection measures. It enables environmental performance to be monitored, similar to the way a financial management system monitors expenditure and income and enables regular checks of an organisation’s financial performance.

EPHC Environment Protection and Heritage Council

ICT Information and communications technology

ISO International Standards Organization

Life cycle costing Refers to the process of assessing the total cost of a product over its whole life. This can include direct monetary costs to a purchaser associated with the initial purchase and ongoing consumables, such as energy.

Product stewardship An approach in which all aspects of the product’s life cycle, from production through distribution to consumption and disposal, are subject to environmental management and stakeholder responsibility. The principle of product stewardship seeks to implement environmental management policies that focus on the product rather than on materials or a single stage of its life cycle.

SMEs Small and medium enterprises

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APPENDIX A: RESPONSES TO DISCUSSION PAPER OPTIONS

Responses to options proposed in the Discussion Paper for Australian Government consideration are outlined below.

Option proposed Discussion Increased implementation of Environmental Management Systems

Support for this option was indicated in the responses of two ICT firms, each with experience in EMS implementation.22 EMS is being implemented by a growing number of Australian Government agencies to improve environmental outcomes. There continues to be good progress with more agencies expected to obtain certification in 2005. In 2004, the number of agencies certified to the level of International Standards Organization (ISO) 1400123 increased from five to seven. A further 14 agencies plan to achieve certification.24

Encouragement of triple bottom line reporting

A single response was received on this proposal. A government agency expressed concern that effective triple bottom line reporting could not be undertaken until the ICT industry makes available better information to support government reporting requirements. Triple bottom line reporting remains voluntary for Australian Government agencies.

Implementation of an Australian Government Internet-based register of ICT industry eco-design, recycling and reuse Initiatives

This option received a mixed response. A government respondent queried the purpose of the proposed register, the reason it would be accessed and how it would be maintained. Another government respondent raised the issue of the lack of reliable ICT industry data to support such a register. Industry also indicated that additional work might be required to define what initiatives meet ‘best practice’ in this area. Larger firms with well-developed environmental ICT programmes indicated support for the proposal. The Australian Government, through the Australian Greenhouse Office’s Energy Allstars web site, 25 will provide reliable data about the energy consumption of ICT products from late 2005. Further initiatives to showcase environmental information on ICT products have been developed. For example, the AELA launched a new online database on 29 April 2005 to enable manufacturers, including ICT manufacturers, to provide easily accessible information about the environmental performance of their products.26 As provision of another Internet-based register on environmental measures relating to ICT products could duplicate effort and cause confusion, it is proposed that this option not proceed.

Development of an Australian Government Better Practice Checklist

There was wide support, from government and industry respondents, for the development of a Better Practice Checklist. A checklist to help government consider environmental matters in relation to ICT will be included in a new suite of Better Practice Checklists to be published by Finance in 2005. The checklist will cross-reference existing Australian Government guidance and be developed in consultation with stakeholders.

Provision of additional information in ‘The Guide to ICT Sourcing for Australian Government Agencies’

There was general support for amending the next edition of The Guide to ICT Sourcing for Australian Government Agencies to include issues such as product energy efficiency, recycling and reuse policies and practices when considering sourcing government ICT. Finance, through AGIMO will amend the next edition of The Guide to ICT Sourcing for Australian Government Agencies to include reference to consideration of environmental outcomes relating to ICT sourcing.

22 Further information about EMS is available from the Department of the Environment and Heritage at http://www.deh.gov.au/industry/agency-performance/index.html 23 The International Standards Organization series 14000 covers various aspects of environmental management relevant to the ICT industry, including Environmental Management Systems, environmental auditing and eco-labelling. 24 EMS for Agencies Newsletter, Department of the Environment and Heritage, March 2005. 25 Information about Energy Allstars is available at www.energyallstars.gov.au 26 Further information is available from http://www.greenprocurement.org/database/main.jsf

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Responses to options proposed in the Discussion Paper for ICT industry consideration are outlined below.

Option proposed Discussion Promote more visibility of ICT industry eco-design, recycling and reuse initiatives

Responses from individual ICT firms indicated some support for this proposal, with the suggestion that an industry self-reporting scheme be developed. The Energy AllStars web site, provided by the Australian Greenhouse Office, will provide information about the energy efficiency of ICT products from late 2005. With AELA’s launch, in April 2005, of an online database, another opportunity exists for manufacturers to provide information about product environmental performance. The database includes ICT products.

Develop ICT applications to assist in product stewardship initiatives

To help Australian manufacturers address waste recycling, IMS Australia, which is supported by the Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources, is establishing an international collaborative research and development project named PROMISE (Product Embedded Information System for Service and End-of-Life). PROMISE focuses on developing technology and associated information systems to trace a product from design and production, through to use and end-of-life. AEEMA supports this approach. Manufacturers, including ICT firms, are invited to participate in the project.27

Implement and report on arrangement for environmental management systems

Individual ICT firms that have implemented an EMS provided comments on the benefits of this approach. An ICT industry body proposed that government help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) achieve compliance with international standards and EMS. Participation in an EMS is voluntary. Many larger ICT firms have implemented an EMS, which provides certification under ISO 14000 – the relevant international standard. In many cases it is more difficult for SMEs to achieve compliance with an EMS due to economies of scale. The AIIA is finalising development of a handbook to help SMEs achieve basic compliance with international standards.

Further coordinate activity across the ICT industry sector

This suggestion received two responses from the ICT industry. These respondents agreed that further coordination would be beneficial. Specifically, it was suggested that improved environmental outcomes could be achieved through sharing recycling infrastructure for televisions and ICT products. The two major Australian ICT industry bodies, AEEMA and the AIIA, jointly announced on 29 April 2005 that a feasibility study on the merger of these bodies is taking place. If agreed, the merger would see creation of a new ICT industry body that would combine the interests and membership of the two bodies through embracing the ICT and related electronic and electrical manufacturing industries. Potentially, this merger would support improved coordination of environmental initiatives across the ICT industry sector.28

Improve arrangements for sharing environmental responsibility over the product lifecycle

An ICT industry respondent suggested that government assistance may be needed with some aspects of product stewardship, in particular with collecting in rural and regional areas and with ‘orphan’ products, or products manufactured by ICT firms that no longer exist. This respondent also suggested that product stewardship needs to address the non-government and schools sectors, which receive older computers as part of reuse schemes and are eventually faced with end-of-life issues. DEH is developing product stewardship arrangements with the ICT industry.

Provide further information about environmentally friendly products and services

A number of ICT firms provide information on their web sites about their products and services that are environmentally friendly. Information on ICT industry participation in recycling schemes, such as Cartridges 4 Planet Ark29 printer and toner cartridge recycling scheme was provided in the Discussion Paper.

27 Further information about this project is available from http://www.AEEMA.asn.au/ArticleDocuments/39/THE AEEMA%20EB%2028%20February%202005.pdf 28 Information about the possible merger of AEEMA and the AIIA is available from http://www.aeema.asn.au/ArticleDocuments/40/29%20April%202005%20Joint%20Media%20Statement%20from%20AEEMA%20and%20AIIA.pdf 29 Information about Cartridges 4 Planet Ark is available at http://www.planetark.org/generalpage.cfm/newsid/21/story.htm

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Responses to options proposed in the Discussion Paper for ICT industry consideration are outlined below (continued).

Option proposed Discussion Build on strategies to assist small retailers and enterprises that may not be involved in large scale government procurement processes

One respondent suggested that government tendering should not disadvantage SMEs. Sections 5.3 to 5.6 of the Commonwealth Procurement Guidelines – January 2005 (CPGs) outline requirements aimed at ensuring that SMEs are able to engage in fair competition for Australian Government business.

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Additional suggestions made by respondents to the Discussion Paper are outlined below.

Option proposed Discussion Government procurement The stated scope of the Discussion Paper did not include government procurement. However, the majority of industry respondents, and some government

respondents, suggested that environmental ICT criteria, based on international standards, including environmentally appropriate packaging and whole-of-life costs, could be strengthened in procurement guidance for the Australian Government. One industry respondent reiterated that government procurement and contracting should not disadvantage SMEs. New initiatives have been undertaken to address this issue. In particular, DEH released the Environmental Purchasing Guide and Checklists for Australian Government agencies in November 2004. The CPGs also outline requirements aimed at ensuring SMEs are able to engage in fair competition for Australian Government business. Other ongoing DEH initiatives, in particular product stewardship and the National Packaging Covenant, seek to improve options and services available to assist green procurement.

Community initiatives Two respondents suggested that environmental benefits could be achieved, while addressing digital divide issues, if government and industry enabled better community access to unwanted computers. A range of reuse schemes is available to the community. The Department of Education, Science and Training administers the Computer Technology For Schools project, which provides surplus Australian Government and private sector computers and other ICT equipment to Australian schools in greatest need. The Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts (DCITA) provides information about computer reuse schemes via the departmental web site,30 and refers clients to appropriate schemes. Another community initiative is a partnership project between The Smith Family and Microsoft Australia and other partners under the Prime Minister’s Community Business Partnerships.31 There may also be scope to highlight ICT reuse schemes as part of an ICT firm’s corporate social responsibility programmes and by industry peak bodies representing major ICT-user industries, such as banking, financial services and aviation. This additional information could be included with information outlining ICT projects and corporate social responsibility programmes currently published on the DCITA web site.32 The proposed Better Practice Checklist, to be developed by AGIMO, on environmental ICT will include information about ICT reuse schemes, which may further alleviate digital divide issues

International, state, territory and local government initiatives

The scope of the Discussion Paper was to focus on Australian Government and ICT industry initiatives to reduce environmental impacts from use of ICT. A number of respondents suggested the Discussion Paper could have included international, state, territory and local government initiatives in this area. Other Australian governments are carrying out a number of significant initiatives. In some cases other governments are ahead of Australian Government agencies in this field. Links to these initiatives, and to relevant international initiatives, are provided on the DEH web site.33

Government resource use Some respondents suggested that government consider the additional strategies to improve the effective use of ICT, to reduce its resource use, including energy and paper. Suggestions included: reducing the use of paper through setting reduction targets, and using ICT more effectively; allowing clients to respond via electronic forms, rather than printing a form and completing it manually could reduce the resource use of third parties; and reducing the energy use from increased volume of electronic transactions. In 2005 the Australian National Audit Office will conduct the first cross-portfolio performance audit on ‘Green Procurement’. Australian Government agencies could use the findings of this audit to develop strategies to use resources, such as paper, ICT products and energy more effectively. The upward trend of increasing numbers of citizens/clients using a greater variety of online transactions to do business with government continues. According to research in the United States of America, the increase in the volume of transactions and general uptake of e-government has seen an increase in energy consumption in data centres and server farms.34 DEH is considering options for investigating this issue.

30 Information about computer reuse schemes is available from http://www.dcita.gov.au/ie/community_connectivity/subsidised 31 Information about this project is available from http://www.microsoft.com/australia/corpaffairs/corpcit/community/up.aspx and http://www.learnlinks.com.au/snet/partners.htm 32 Information about corporate social responsibility programmes is available from http://www.dcita.gov.au/ie/community_connectivity/ict_and_the_nonprofit_sector/corporate_responsibility 33 Information on the initiatives of other governments to reduce the environmental impacts from the use of ICT is available from http://www.deh.gov.au 34 Information is available on the Rocky Mountain Institute’s High Performance Data Centers publication from http://www.rmi.org/store/p12details2424.php?x=1&pagePath=00000000,00000069,00000070,00000385

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Additional suggestions made by respondents to the Discussion Paper are outlined below (continued).

Option proposed Discussion Identifying opportunities for government collaboration

Respondents from the government sector suggested that a government senior executive ‘think tank’ could be convened to identify collaborative approaches to achieving reduced environmental outcomes from the use of ICT DEH will conduct research in 2005–06 with a selection of senior executive and non-executive staff in Australian Government departments and agencies to identify opportunities to improve the contribution the public sector makes to sustainability, including environmental considerations relating to the government’s use of ICT.

Clean Up ICT as an extension of Clean Up Australia

One respondent suggested extending Clean Up Australia to include a clean up of ICT to make it easier for the general public to appropriately recycle ICT products. The most recent Clean Up Australia Day on 6 March 2005 coincided with the launch by SIMS Group Ltd and Collex Pty Ltd of a major new ICT and electronics recycling business.35 Free drop-off points were established in Sydney, Brisbane and Canberra for unwanted ICT products on Clean Up Australia Day. The new recycling business provides e-waste recycling on a fee-for-service basis.

Incorporate environmental standards into the Government ITC Framework

One respondent suggested environmental considerations could be incorporated into the Government ITC (GITC) Framework, which provides advice to Australian Government agencies on ICT contract arrangements and requirements. AGIMO is commissioning a review of the GITC Framework. The purpose of this review is to reduce costs to suppliers and government by simplifying and streamlining the purchasing process. Environmental considerations will be included as part of the new processes being developed.

Formal recognition of environmental labelling

AELA suggested that government formally recognise independent eco-labelling schemes. The Australian Government supports several issue-specific environmental labelling schemes. These include labels for fuel efficiency, energy consumption, water efficiency and gas usage, as well as the Greenhouse Friendly label.

Better practice checklist for ICT industry

A respondent from the ICT industry suggested that a better practice checklist on environmental considerations be developed by and for the ICT industry. ICT industry bodies continue to develop guidance and information to help the sector improve environmental outcomes. These initiatives include a handbook for SMEs that the AIIA is developing. Further information is provided in Section 5. In addition, AEEMA, in conjunction with a number of partners including the Institute of Exporting and a tertiary education institution, is considering an awareness-raising programme on environmental issues. Information about good practice is available from those larger ICT firms that are well advanced in adopting environmental measures. Several firms have an EMS. Several ICT products have environmental labelling certification under international standards.

Australian Government Awards for environmentally friendly ICT

An individual respondent suggested that an Australian Government awards scheme be developed for environmentally friendly ICT. Awards schemes are already provided by the Australian Government and by ICT industry that allow nominations for environmental ICT initiatives. The government-sponsored Banksia Awards are compatible with environmental ICT. Relevant categories in the Banksia Awards include innovation, communications, waste minimisation, research and development, environmental business practice and community groups.36 AEEMA offers Excellence Awards for innovation and ‘cleaner, greener, smarter’ manufacturing.37 In addition, the AIIA offers iAwards to Australian ICT industry firms for leading edge initiatives.38 The iAwards are held in conjunction with CeBIT Australian, an international ICT trade display. Winners represent Australia in the Asia–Pacific ICT Awards.39 A Community Award for innovation in the area of corporate social responsibility is an important component of the iAwards. The Community Award includes environmental projects.

35 Further information about the e-waste initiative is available from http://www.simsmetal.com.au/ 36 Further information about the Banksia Awards is available from http://www.deh.gov.au/minister/ps/99/psmr1nov99.html 37 Further information on the Australian Electrical and Electronic Manufactuers’ Association Excellence awards is available from http://www.AEEMA.asn.au 38 Further information about the iAwards is available from http://www.aiia.com.au/i-cms.isp?page=300 39 Information about the Asia Pacific ICT Awards is available from http://www.apicta.com

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Additional suggestions made by respondents to the Discussion Paper are outlined below (continued).

Option proposed Discussion Environmental benefits of Telework

DCITA suggested that improved environmental outcomes could be achieved through telework. Telework refers to work practices, enabled by ICT, undertaken where the location of the activity is independent of the location of the employer. It includes work activities performed by employees from home, including by the self-employed, and work activities performed in ‘satellite’ working centres, and by mobile workers. Following the government election policy, Connecting an innovative Australia, the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, and the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations established the Australian Telework Advisory Committee to advise on options for and impediments to telework. The taskforce includes government, industry and small business representatives. An extensive programme of public consultation is underway and a report to government is expected in early 2006.40 In addition, in March 2005 AGIMO released a Better Practice Checklist on Teleworking that was developed in conjunction with the Department of Family and Community Services and other Australian Government agencies.41

40 Further information about the teleworking is available from http://www.dcita.gov.au/ie/broadband 41 The Telework Better Practice Checklist is available from http://www.agimo.gov.au/practice/delivery/checklists/telework

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APPENDIX B: SUMMARY OF DISCUSSION PAPER RESPONSES

RESPONDENT SIGNATORY RESPONSE SUMMARY ADDITIONAL SUGGESTIONS Industry 1 Australian Computer

Society Inc. (ACS) Len Joynson Policy Officer

General • Endorses government measures for environmentally

friendly ICT for reduced energy, greenhouse gases, and costs of safe disposal.

• Product design should enhance reuse and recycling. • Government tendering should not disadvantage SMEs. • ACS involved in product stewardship initiatives with

government. AGIMO • Strongly supports Internet register, better practice

checklist and emphasis in ICT Sourcing Guide. ICT Industry • Offers assistance with dissemination and promotion of

information on environmentally friendly ICT.

Government • Government assistance for SMEs to comply with ISO standards and

Environmental Management Systems. AGIMO • Better practice checklist for industry, to achieve better environmental

outcomes. Checklist to be cross-referenced with proposed Internet register. ICT Industry • Additional funding for ACS to include environmental awareness in its

education and certification programme.

2 Australian Electronic and Electrical Manufacturers Association (AEEMA)

Jennifer Liston Director, Electronics and ICT

General • Endorses the direction of the paper.

ICT Industry • In addition to the industry activities outlined in the

Discussion Paper, AEEMA has an education and awards programme and is a member of the ICT Industry Alliance.

Government • Government assistance for product stewardship re historical and orphaned

product, collection from rural and regional areas, developing infrastructure, end-market development, reporting, education, enforcement and to involve the non-government and school sectors.

• Assistance for ICT Industry Alliance to provide more coordination. ICT Industry • AEEMA education and awards programme could be used to raise

awareness of the initiatives of individual firms. • AEEMA endorses use of Radio Frequency Identification Devices to

manage product stewardship through Automatic Data Capture Australia Forum.

• A framework code is required for industry information about environmental credentials of products and services.

• Industry involvement in product stewardship will depend on a framework that accepts shared responsibility along the supply chain.

3 Australian Environmental Labelling

Petar Johnson President

General • Endorses the direction of the paper. • Notes non-inclusion of Environmentally friendly

Government • Australian Government should identify quantifiable environmental loads

from ICT and stipulate these in Request for Tender documentation and

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RESPONDENT SIGNATORY RESPONSE SUMMARY ADDITIONAL SUGGESTIONS Association Inc. (AELA)

procurement or quantifiable measures and targets to reduce the environmental load from government use of ICT.

• Notes outcomes of proposed information and education programmes are difficult to quantify.

AGIMO • Supports better practice checklist, further guidance in

ICT Sourcing Guide. Further information provided • Measuring environmental impacts.

ensure tenderers comply with ISO 14020. • Government should formally recognise independent eco-labelling

programmes based on ISO 14020.

4 Close the Loop Melissa Stone Corporate Program Manager

General • Endorses the direction of the paper.

Further information provided • Close the Loop operation and its industry partners.

5 Computerbank Australia Inc.

Geoff Tregenza Vice President

General • Supports the direction of the paper. • Paper does not address;

o international initiatives o community initiatives o relationship between software/hardware

and environmental impacts o initiatives of other governments.

Government • National policy and action plan is required.

Community • Government and industry could provide more assistance to community

groups regarding environmentally friendly ICT • Community could play more active role and assist industry and

government to achieve environmentally friendly ICT outcomes.

6 Fuji Xerox Printers (FXP)

Graham Abbey Federal Business Manager Peter Diprose Environmental Manager

General • Endorses the direction of the paper.

AGIMO • Could provide input to better practice checklist. • Supports proposals for:

o an Internet register o amending the ICT Sourcing Guide o implementing EMS o product stewardship o triple bottom line reporting.

Further information provided • FXP is working with parent company in Japan to

develop a centralised recycling centre in Asia to complement the Australia Eco-Manufacturing Centre.

• FXP complies with National Energy Stars programme.

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RESPONDENT SIGNATORY RESPONSE SUMMARY ADDITIONAL SUGGESTIONS • The firm has a schedule to eliminate use of heavy

metals and PBB/PBDE in 2004 and halogen resin/vinyl chloride in 2005 under EU’s restriction of the use of hazardous substances initiative.

• FXP recycles computers to community groups. • FXP funds Greening Australia tree planting

programmes and has joined the Energex earth’schoice program (NSW Government) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from manufacturing processes.

7 Fuji Xerox Australia (FXA)

Ramsay Moodie Director, Corporate Affairs

General • Endorses the direction of paper. • Supports government initiatives for energy all stars

and energy efficient computers. • Supports international harmonisation of environmental

standards for ICT products. AGIMO • Supports amending the ICT Sourcing Guide and

developing an Internet register and better practice checklist, and could contribute to their development.

Further information provided • FXA contributes to product stewardship through

designing products for the environment and participation in extended producer responsibility arrangements.

• FXA donates used ICT equipment to charity. • Initiated (with HP and IBM) the AIIA environmental

standards handbook for SMEs. • FXA products receive ‘Eco Mark’ certification in

Japan. • FXA has an EMS and offers eco-literacy education.

Government • Could contribute to environmentally friendly ICT by buying policies that

specify use of environmentally sound packaging. ICT Industry • Cooperation between TV and ICT industries for common infrastructure for

recycling electronic and electrical waste. • FXA will contribute additional resources to reporting on its EMS.

8 Hewlett Packard Australia (HP)

David Mol Government and Public Affairs Manager, South Pacific

General • Endorses the direction of paper.

AGIMO • Supports amending ICT Sourcing Guide.

Further information provided • HP contributes to product stewardship through

Government • Could contribute more to environmentally friendly ICT through

environmentally sustainable procurement guidelines that would give the ICT industry more incentive to engage with sound environmental practices.

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RESPONDENT SIGNATORY RESPONSE SUMMARY ADDITIONAL SUGGESTIONS designing products for the environment, and supports digital divide initiatives.

• HP has contributed to draft product stewardship plan as a member of the AIIA.

• 70% of product sold in Australia is manufactured in Australia in partnership with SMEs.

• HP uses an EMS, its manufacturing fulfils ISO 14001 and is developing strategies for managing ICT end-of-life.

9 Kyocera Mita Australia Pty Ltd (KMA)

David Finn Managing Director

General • Endorses the direction of the paper.

Further information provided • KMA manufactures printers (70% cheaper to operate)

and produces ceramics and uses biod • egradable plastic and lead free solder as an

environmentally friendly alternative to components made of more hazardous materials.

• KMA has an EMS and is a member of the national packaging covenant. Its production plants and affiliates are certified under ISO 14001 and it is accredited with a range of international eco-labels.

• KMA partners with Clean Up Australia to reduce e-waste generally and is a Close the Loop partner.

Government • Should establish whole of government environmental criteria, such as

whole of life costs for ICT purchases, for inclusion in the procurement guidelines.

ICT Industry • Should operate according to a mandatory code for product stewardship,

especially to identify opportunities to reduce waste early in the product lifecycle.

10 National Environmental Education Council

James Moody Member

General • Endorses the direction of paper.

Government • Analyse economic opportunities of environmental ICT, for example

measure how much paper government uses per annum, measure cost savings and set a target to reduce paper consumption.

• Amend procurement guidelines that account for product stewardship arrangements and more environmentally friendly ICT generally would encourage more innovation in industry.

11 Standards Australia John Tucker Chief Executive

General • Endorses the direction of paper.

General • Concern re harmonic disturbances in mains electricity supply associated

with connection of large numbers of personal computers and its impact on the environment through degradation of quality of electricity supply for other users. IEC international standard 61000-3-2 sets limits for harmonic emissions for ICT equipment that is viewed, by some industry sectors, as restrictive.

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RESPONDENT SIGNATORY RESPONSE SUMMARY ADDITIONAL SUGGESTIONS Government 12 Department of

Industry, Tourism and Resources

Marie Johnson Head of Division, eBusiness Division

General • Supports the direction of the paper.

Further information provided • IP Australia (a portfolio agency) is active in

improving environmental outcomes through environmentally friendly ICT solutions, guidelines, compliance standards, reporting requirements and performance recognition. In addition, IP Australia’s office buildings incorporate energy efficiency design measures.

AGIMO • Question purpose of Internet register, why it would be accessed and how it

would be promoted.

13 Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts

Peter Huta Manager, Community Connectivity

General • Supports the direction of the paper. • Notes non-inclusion of significant community and

state/territory government initiatives available on DCITA web site.

AGIMO • Supports better practice checklist and Internet register.

Government • Include environmental benefits of Telework as per election policy

Information Technology: Connecting an Innovative Australia. • Look into UK and Swedish government tax arrangements for employee’s

use of loaned computers for home use as an incentive for reducing energy consumption.

AGIMO • Draw on experience of state/territory governments in developing the better

practice checklist. • Include link to community and state/territory government initiatives on

Internet register. ICT Industry/Industry • Corporate responsibility programmes could be used to inform stakeholders

of environmental ICT initiatives. • Industry could increase participation in community recycling schemes.

14 Department of Education, Science and Training

Tony Kwan Chief Information Officer

General • Endorses general thrust of the paper.

General • Explore new business set up along the lines of business and community

ventures outlined at http://www.pcgraveyard.com.au and http://www.abc.net.au/nsw/stories/s1069337.htm

Government • Explore collaborative inter-departmental approaches to the issue.

ICT Industry • Develop incentives to encourage manufacturers to produce recyclable

computers with recyclability ratings comparable to energy star rating system.

15 Centrelink Jane Treadwell General Government

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RESPONDENT SIGNATORY RESPONSE SUMMARY ADDITIONAL SUGGESTIONS Deputy Chief Executive Officer Robyn Kemp National Manager, Environmental Management

• Endorses the direction of the paper. • Concern about proposal to mandate triple bottom line reporting and whole-of-government reporting on environmental impacts until ICT industry is able to provide better information to support reporting requirements.

• DEH or AGIMO to sponsor ‘think tank’ or SES forum on environmental issues, shared implementation.

• Update procurement guidelines to ensure appropriate recognition of environmentally sustainable purchasing decisions.

Individuals 16 Jacqui Begbie Jacqui Begbie General

• Endorses the direction of the paper. General • Extension of Clean Up Australia to Clean Up IT with publicity targeting

general public with annual provision of collection points and recycle campaigns.

Government • Incorporation of environmental standards or ISO 14000 standards in the

GITC Framework. • Development of an Australian Government awards scheme similar to the

prestigious international quality awards like the Deming prize http://www.deming.org

• Implementation of levies to fund reclamation, recycling and disassembly operation for the safe disposal of ICT waste.

• Introduction of mandatory scheme to ensure non-environmentally efficient products are returned at end-of-life to their country of origin.

ICT Industry • Development of a scheme to encourage self reporting to government on

environmental criteria of their products. 17 Nardia Haigh Nardia Haigh

Researcher General • Endorses the direction of the paper.

Further information provided • Reference to papers on innovation and management.

Government • Reduce resource use by third parties by allowing clients to respond

digitally rather than, for example, printing a form. • Improve energy efficiency of ICT so that where more transactions are

occurring online, the resource use of that department or agency does not increase to cope with the higher volume of activity.

• Whole-of-government approach to measure both financial and environmental sustainability of information management initiatives/programmes.