This is a machine-readable version of the environmental performance reporting dataset from the Department of Health 2023-24 Annual Report.

Tables:

• Summary of greenhouse gas emissions
• Electricity production and consumption - Health Services
• Electricity production and consumption - Office-based (department and statutory agencies)
• Electricity production and consumption - Cemeteries
• Stationary fuel use - Health services
• Stationary fuel use - Office-based (department and statutory agencies)
• Stationary fuel use - Cemeteries
• Transportation - Health services
• Transportation - Office-based (department and statutory agencies)
• Transportation - Cemeteries
• Total energy use - Health Services
• Total energy use - Office-based (department and statutory agencies)
• Total energy use - Cemeteries
• Greenhouse gas emissions - Health Services
• Greenhouse gas emissions - Office-based (department and statutory agencies)
• Greenhouse gas emissions - Cemeteries
• B5 Environmental performance ratings - National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS) public hospitals ratings 2021–22
• Water use - Health services
• Water use - Office-based (department and statutory agencies)
• Water use - Cemeteries
• Waste and recycling - Health services
• Waste and recycling - Office-based (department and statutory agencies)
• Waste and recycling - Cemeteries

Environmental data and performance

The following information has been prepared in accordance with Financial Reporting Direction (FRD) 24. FRD 24 specifies a range of environmental indicators that the department and associated agencies must report against. For the purposes of this report the department and its associated agencies are categorised as follows:

• health services: this category includes Victoria’s public hospitals and health services. Under FRD 24 metropolitan hospitals are classified as Tier 2; other health services and hospitals (including Ambulance Victoria and regional, sub-regional, local, small rural, multi-purpose and statewide health services) are classified as Tier 3a.

• office-based: this category includes all department offices and offices occupied by statutory and department agencies. Agencies in this reporting category include:

  • Collaborative Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing
  • Health Complaints Commissioner
  • Mental Health & Wellbeing Commission
  • Mental Health Tribunal
  • National Health Practitioner Ombudsman
  • Safer Care Victoria
  • Victorian Assisted Reproductive Treatment Authority.

  The department’s office-based activities are classified as Tier 1 under FRD 24. Classifications for agencies vary, with many being Tier 4. Data for Tier 4 has been incorporated into the overall Tier 1 reporting for the department.

• cemeteries: refers to Class A cemeteries only in Victoria. Class A cemeteries are categorised as Tier 3a under FRD 24. This report captures the environmental data and performance of Ballarat General Cemeteries Trust, Geelong Cemeteries Trust, Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust, Remembrance Parks Central Victoria and Greater Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust.

Tier 1 entities are required to report against the full range of indicators, while Tiers 2, 3a and 4 have reduced reporting requirements. It should be noted that the units used may vary between the health sector and other parts of the portfolio.

FRD 24 reporting capability by the department and its entities continues to improve, however, there may be some data gaps. These gaps are unlikely to be significant within the context of the broader portfolio impacts.

The department’s environmental data management system is the preferred method for collecting environmental performance data. Most health services, Class A cemeteries and office-based data are collected through this system, however, there are some indicators where collection methods may differ.

Changed departmental reporting timelines

The department has changed its reporting timelines for the 2023–2024 reporting period onwards. This report provides environment data for the fringe benefits tax (FBT) year, that is, from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024. Environmental reporting results have been updated for the 2022–2023 and 2021–2022 reporting periods to align with the FBT year.

Environmental reporting results

During the 2023–2024 reporting period there was a decrease in total greenhouse gas emissions from health services, however a rise in greenhouse gas emissions from office-based activities and cemeteries. This increase can in part be attributed to improved data collection and reporting as well as an increase in office attendance. Cemeteries data for this report includes two additional Class A cemeteries trusts, accounting for the increase in emissions for this category. There has been a steady increase since 2021–2022 in air travel and air travel-related emissions. This can be attributed to a return to normal travel arrangements following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Health services

In 2023–24, Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions in Victorian health services decreased compared to the year before. The decrease in Scope 2 emissions could be due to a range of reasons including a reduction in the carbon intensity of grid electricity, increased solar installation, the offset of emissions through the Barwon Health power purchasing agreement (PPA), and the purchase of certified renewable energy under the GreenPower scheme.

Total electricity consumption (EL1) has increased as has on-site generation of electricity from solar and cogeneration (EL2). The amount of on-site solar (EL3) increased by approximately 3 MWp to 19 MWp.

Total electricity offsets (EL4) increased in 2023–2024. This was largely due to the offsetting of emissions through the Barwon Health PPA.

Total waste sent to landfill from Victorian health services increased by 10 per cent in 2023–24. The recycling rate has remained relatively consistent with improvements in some recycling streams. Overall greenhouse gas emissions from waste has increased by 5 per cent in 2023–2024.

Office-based

For office-based activities, Scope 1 emissions decreased, and Scope 2 and Scope 3 (e.g. supply chain) emissions increased for this reporting period. The increase in Scope 2 and 3 emissions can be attributed to increased staff attendance in the office following the COVID-19 pandemic and a subsequent increase in air travel, and electricity and water consumption.

In 2023–24 general waste from offices decreased by 34 per cent. Total units of waste disposed, including general waste and recycling, has also decreased. Recycling rates, however, have remained relatively stable.

The Victorian Government introduced a container deposit scheme in November 2023 for containers with a 10-cent refund label. This scheme was introduced in two department buildings, 50 Lonsdale Street and 2 Lonsdale Street, in December 2023. Financial rebates from the scheme are donated to charity organisations. This initiative further enhances recycling in department buildings while giving back to the community.  

Cemeteries

An increase in Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions was observed in cemeteries. This can be attributed to the inclusion of data from two more Class A cemeteries trusts for 2023–24. Geelong Cemeteries Trust has adopted a net zero emissions reduction plan with the aim to achieve net zero by 2040. The trust has committed to investing in new initiatives and has introduced measures such as the installation of electric vehicle charging stations for internal use (connected to the existing solar system).

Remembrance Parks Central Victoria Trust, through its environmental management plan, has committed to making its environmental impact central to future planning. Particular initiatives include substituting quarried topsoil with locally produced mulch from composted green waste, changing internal processes to significantly reduce printed paper use, and introducing solar panels to the Eaglehawk Crematorium building, which has capacity to supply 50 per cent of electricity required at this site.

General waste to landfill from cemeteries decreased in 2023–2024 by 16 per cent, while the recycling rate increased, reflecting local initiatives to minimise the impact of waste from the sector. Greenhouse gas emissions, however, increased in 2023–24. This can in part be attributed to the inclusion of two new Class A cemeteries trusts for this reporting period.