Activities of Sustainability Victoria - Term Paper Example

Contents Introduction. 2 Current state 3 Agencies 3 Funding 4 Activities of sustainability Victoria 5 Waste policies 5 Waste management groups 6 Renewable energy efficiency 6 Assessment of performance 7 Waste management 8 Reduced waste generation 9 Education programs 10 Sustainability funds 10 Problems 11 Future of sustainable Victoria 11 Conclusion 12 References 12 Introduction. Sustainability Victoria (SV) was given legislative mandate by the Victorian government to ensure sustainability in use of resources (Daughterly 1996). It came into existence after merging of sustainable energy authority Victoria and Eco Recycle Victoria in 2005. SV as other government agencies it has to work in accordance with other agencies policies and programs. Its main aim is to ensure that the government is able to meet to meet today’s needs without compromising the coming generation. This is possible by ensuring environmental sustainability in everyday life by both business and individuals and giving advises on use of new technology and identify areas in which sustainability is not utilized. This review shows analysis of how SV is performing currently, its performance and recommendations on how to improve the mission of sustainability in Victoria (Sustainability Victoria Act, 2005) The figure shows objectives of sustainable Victoria that it was given as per the parliament act that formed it Current state In this we analyze the how SV has been meeting its objectives. SV main aim is to provide programs in waste management, efficiency use of energy and administration of grants. It’s a agency that focus on “toward zero waste”.it include how it operates, funding, projects and policies in meeting its core functions (Kessler 2001). Agencies SV has many agencies that they interact with to ensure that there is complimentary relationship between them and assist in meeting roles and functions. Thus SV should ensure that all policies are implemented. Some of these agencies are 1. Sustainability and environment department It assists in management of government department in developing policies and directions that advice use of energy effectively. This includes waste, bushfire, parks, forests and ecosystem management on behalf of the Victorian government. It also focuses on water management and its catchment areas. 2. Environment Protection Authority It’s a government agency that regulates environment by influencing how government impacts it. It main work includes approving waste management plan (SIWMP) by industries and other waste management plans. 3. Commissioner for environmental sustainability This is state office that reports to the government directly. It audits education on sustainable ecology, advising minister on development. It also ensures that the state and government coordinate in meeting practices and procedures. 4. Regional waste management groups They work under minister of environment on managing climate change. They also ensure coordination of municipal and council on waste management; provide waste management projects and dissolving member disputes. Funding SV get funding from many sources but most of its revenue is generated from land levy revenue. This was a fee introduced by parliament in 1990 to ensure waste reduction and assist in funding waste management policies (The Environment Protection and Sustainability Victoria Amendment Bill 2014) Other sources in which it get funding include Allocations approved by responsible minister and premier. Commonwealth funds for government projects Sustainable management administration fee. Interest accrued Following show an extract of 2011 revenue. Activities of sustainability Victoria Since it was formed in 2005, SV has been engaged in a lot of projects to ensure it meets its legislative role. Waste policies It has developed a lot of policies on sustainability and waste management. This includes the 2004 policy on management of landfills on which aimed at protecting human and environment on wastes in landfill. The policy adopted a waste hierarchy; this meant that disposal of waste should be a last resort hence other preferable could be adapted which include containment, treatment, recycling, reuse and avoidance being most preferred. Other policies implemented are the waste flow policy that aimed at continuously improving institutions settings, procedures and laws that improve the waste management and reduce waste (Bader 2008) Zero waste strategies This was strategy developed to ensure that the waste management increased gradually reduce amount of waste to zero. This was to be achieved by reducing waste produced by increasing fines on those who dispose this waste hence avoiding this behavior. In 2014 the littering had reduced by 25% in municipal and 60 % in business sector. Waste management groups They were introduced in 2007 by DSE in order to provide changes that would Victoria capacity to improve waste management. This included involving industries, commercial and construction waste to be managed. Under this the SV broadened areas that had fewer problems but these groups had some restrictions hence causing problems and confusion to stakeholders. Renewable energy efficiency As part of its functions and strategy sustainable Victoria has encouraged proper use of energy. This has been possible by use financial tools such as grants by government to ensure that energy efficiency and effectiveness have been promoted by funding ideas and programs that introduce sustainable energy (Brundlant 1987). These include the wind firm and solar projects. It has also introduced some energy programs this include 1) Business programs Tis include projects to improve sustainability in business. These include use of innovative technology to save on energy and reduce wastages. SV has funded many programs including the Beyond best practice that aimed at improving business technology to reduce cost in improving energy saving in product and business cycle 2) Household programs These were funded by to target households in order improve energy saving. This includes training and education on choosing appliances that save utility energy i.e. water, gas and electricity. Assessment of performance In this we going SV has been working in accordance to its objectives and if it has achieved them. It has delivered on its purpose evidently indicating achievement of intended purpose. As per government push on sustainable energy and renewable energy SV has a positive performance by delivering to its function in Victoria (Silverman 2007). We are going to analyze its performance on basis of its objective. Financial performance. From 2005 and 2010 it has used more than 74 million dollars and committed more than 260 million dollars on projects and initiatives that support energy sustainability and encourage waste management. In 2012 only more than 80 programs were funded costing over 47 million dollars a clear sign that they meeting their intended purpose (David 1998) The table below is summery of money received and ho they have been used. This clearly show that they spend every last coin year 2009 2010 2011 2012 Revenue received 78,498,740 65,296,289 43,635,820 62,875,397 expenditure 78,830,902 60,765,487 47,100,579 68,131,971 Underspend / overspend (332,162) 453,0802 (3,464,759) (5,256,574) The above shows summary of financial system of financial statement of SV which is clearly evident that the company is working as accordance to its role and utilizing funds allocated. As per the financial it showed that 24 % was allocated to business and industries, 18 % to households, 14% to government and environs, 10 % to community, 17 % to governance, 9 % to organizational performance and 8% to marketing and communication. Over the years SV has also increased its employees especially in communication and marketing to emphasize on its obligation and work in meeting sustainability and waste management. The expenditure was guided by the secretariat and fund advisory panel to ensure proper use of funds. We can conclude that SV was able to delivers to budget. Waste management Considerable effort has been injected in Victoria b SV in improving waste outcomes.by use of grants a lot of programs have been started which have resulted to improved outcomes in waste management, resource management and renewable alternative energy. SV has greatly contributed to reduced waste by encouraging waste recycling. To access the beneficial of programs created by SV a SV board was created to evaluate if they working in accordance to waste management and as per report each project has significantly reduced waste and encouraged sustainability in Victoria. Regional waste management groups have also for the last years acknowledged to receiving support from SV. They also have looked for leadership and support from the SV hence being a role model to them. The data to be provided has internal programs that are audited and analyzed to ensure that they can be used to make strategic planning of waste management (Yang 2010). From a summery done by TZW it came up with In 2008 SV produced 9000 more tonnes than target set of additional waste which is clear they are doing their job Commercial and construction industries have also significantly improved resource recovery rate to more than 70% More than 50% of waste has been recovered Following graph shows waste recovered. For the last decate.as indicate the waste recovered has increased hence a good indicator that SV has been doing its job Reduced waste generation In acting accordance to its strategic goals, objective and strategic goals SV has given expertise advise, money incentives and tools to households and industries in order for the to use resources well by adopting sustainable practices. This has been evident on setting programs that reduce packaging and encourage green labeling in promoting of sustainable products (The Victorian Wind Atlas 2003) Education is one of many actions that help waste management process; SV has provided waste handling technologies and waste recovery methods to be accessed by both household and industries. SV has Green House emissions (GHG) programs under common health programs in which have been rated for more than 50 % success rate. This also has encouraged purchase of efficiency appliances hence encouraging use of renewable energy sources. This has increased other sources of energy. Some of these are shown in table below Energy source Percentage contribution Wind 1.93 Biomass 0.99 Hydro electricity 0.94 Solar 0.05 total 3.9 It has increased market for renewable market for the last decade resulting to increase in the capacity produced. This has reduced cost of carbon abate Education programs SV has been a leader in starting discussions and also supporter of use and learning of sustainability skills in development of policies and even education polies. This to ensure that community is equipped with more knowledge on sustainability. SV has also assisted industries by acknowledging their participation in sustainability and providing accredited courses and resources for training them and offering continuous skills on efficiency and effectiveness use of resources in the organization. SV has also partnered in education department to improve curriculum development this includes incorporating training of students on waste management and effective use of resources. For household SV has offered seminars to create awareness of protecting the environment. This include showing them on how to buy products that have less effector no effect on environment, proper disposal and buying energy saving appliances this include work done by Resource smart AuSSI. Sustainability funds Although some have complained on transparency use of this fund, this money has been clearly accounted for as evident to number of projects started . SV has a secretariat whose role is monitor expenditure of this money. In respect to financial statement audited by the government, it one of transparent institution. Some of projects and programs done by SV have reduced waste and promoted sustainability in Victoria. In 2011 SV performance report by SV board on environment, economic and social shown that SV had a great impact on development of a sustainable culture. Problems Regardless it performing well in its objectives it has also had some setbacks that has happened .although it has used marketing skills few people are able to understand it major objective especially in their area of expertise. As per its objectives, the agencies expectations are very high and broad. This calls for more financing which has not been provided. Apart from merging of the two agencies in 2005 dual organizations has been evidenced. This brings confusion on roles of each individual in the organization. Future of sustainable Victoria The following shows some of the future suggestion that can be used for the organization to increase its efficiency and effectiveness. SV should focus and support more due t growing economy, population and carbon constraint. It should also change on its priorities. This also includes reducing some setbacks that have reduced its performance. Following table shows some summery of how SV has been operating and how it expected to improve its future for success to achieve its objective of sustainability Conclusion As indicated above sustainable Victoria has achieved its objective as and agencies this is due to projects, money expenditure and its dedicated efforts to create awareness and incorporating both business and households in meeting their functions. References Bader, P. (2008). On the Path to a Culture of Sustainability ‐ Conceptual Approaches. Nachhaltigkiet. Retrieved from http://www.goethe.de/ges/umw/dos/nac/den/en3106180.htm Brundtland, G. H. (1987). Our Common Future: Report of The World Commission on Environment and Development New York: UNEP [United Nations Environment Program]. Silverman, H. (2007). Sustainability ‐ 'The S Word'. People & Place: Ideas that Connect Us Retrieved 21/10/2010, from http://www.peopleandplace.net/perspectives/2009/4/15/sustainability_the_s‐word Sustainability Victoria Act 2005 http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/LDMS/LTObject_Store/LTObjSt4.nsf/d1a8d8a9bed958efca25761600042ef5/e5be74e39849eb1cca25776100328f4f/$FILE/05-65a003.pdf The Environment Protection and Sustainability Victoria Amendment Bill 2014 http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/static/www.legislation.vic.gov.au-bills.html Mere, UK. Environmental Pollution.Yang, H. (2010). Historical mercury contamination in sediments and catchment soils Sultana, David G, “Measure the Performance of Your EHS Audit Program,” Chemical Engineering Progress, April, 1998, pp.69-74. Environmental Manager, Volume 1, August, 1995, pp.18-24. Daugherty, Jack E., Industrial Environmental Management a Practical Handbook, Government Institutes, Inc., Rockville, Maryland, 1996. Kessler, J. J., van Ginniken, P., Cornelissen, W., & Romijn, B. (2001). Environmental Management: Towards a Conceptual Framework for Environmental Governance. Inter-American Development Bank. Policy and planning guidelines for development of wind energy facilities in Victoria. Sustainable Energy The Victorian Wind Atlas. Sustainable Energy Authority Victoria, 2003.Authority Victoria, 2003. Read More