Global warming and climate change are now key environmental issues. How the world responds to these serious challenges will affect future generations and the future of our environment. Australia has the world's highest greenhouse gas emissions per person.

The Victorian Government is pursuing a comprehensive strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in our state. A key element of this is tackling emissions from government operations.

The government has set important targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions

• reducing energy use in government buildings by 15% by the financial year 2005/06 and
• committing departments and agencies to purchase 10% of their electricity as Green Power.

Each department and agency is responsible to carry out these initiatives within their operations. They will have flexibility to determine and pursue the most cost-effective options within their areas of responsibility.

Sustainability Victoria is helping departments and agencies put this policy into action, and will prepare whole-of-government reports on progress with implementation.

These guidelines will help departments and agencies play their part and realise the many benefits of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies.

For further information about the governing guidelines you can download or view the Energy Efficient Government Building guidlines pdf.

We can all be more energy smart in the way we do things.