Area Summary: Using Energy and Natural Resources Efficiently

Relevant audits

Example of audit objectives

• To assess whether the Department has been effective in improving energy efficiency in health services. (view report summary)
• To assess whether the Department is implementing energy efficiency initiatives and meeting energy efficiency targets. (view report summary)
• To determine how effectively, efficiently and economically irrigation-related programs have been planned and managed to achieve intended outcomes. (view report summary)

Example of audit criteria

• Not available.

Example of evidence gathering and analysis techniques

• Consultants undertook a telephone survey of 328 businesses across England to supplement the findings of the main body of the evaluation, and to ensure that the business perspective was reflected in the final analysis. (view report summary)
• Analysed a variety of data on the tonnages of waste produced and the amount sent to landfill. We also estimated the possible monetary value of the Programme outcomes reported by bodies the Department funded. (view report summary)
• A survey on energy efficiency was issued to councils, National Health Services (NHS) bodies and central government bodies. (view report summary)
• A survey on energy efficiency was issued to 96 public bodies. (view report summary)
• Group interviews were held with energy managers from councils and NHS boards. (view report summary)

Example of findings

• Victorian Government decisions to invest around $2 billion in irrigation efficiency and related projects between 2004 and 2007 were poorly informed. Whether these projects represent the best solution to achieve the government’s policy objectives of saving water and securing Victoria’s water, remains unclear. (view report summary)
• The Department of Health’s (DH) approach to statewide planning for energy efficiency is inadequate. It does not have a documented policy or plan and lacks a strategic focus and a coordinated approach. It also does not align with health services’ local planning. (view report summary)
• While there have been improvements in energy efficiency across the health system over the past seven years, the lack of an adequate planning approach has potentially limited the gains that could have been made. Specifically, DH's planning approach limits its ability to demonstrate whether it is appropriately allocating resources to areas of greatest need or highest risk, and whether it is sufficiently prepared for emerging challenges. (view report summary)
• Energy consumption in public buildings has fallen by 4.8 per cent in the three years to 2006/07 but spending on energy has increased by 46.7 per cent during this period due to significant rises in energy prices. (view report summary)
• Between 2006/07 and 2008/09, there was little change in the public sector’s energy use, but its spending on energy increased by 21 per cent. In a time of increasing financial pressures for the public sector and predicted future rises in energy prices, reducing energy use is of key importance. (view report summary)
• On the seven point scale used to show the energy performance of buildings, over 70 per cent of large public buildings are rated in the poorest three levels. Only four per cent are rated in the top two levels. (view report summary)
• The public sector as a whole is not yet reducing emissions at sufficient pace to set a good example or influence others, and future budget reductions may affect the level of investment available to achieve further improvement. (#11)
• There is a need for stronger leadership by the Scottish Government and within public bodies to improve energy efficiency and ensure that the necessary cultural and behavioural changes are made. (view report summary)
• The Scottish Government does not formally monitor and report progress by public bodies in improving energy efficiency. This makes it difficult to determine the extent to which the public sector is contributing to the achievement of national targets to reduce emissions. (view report summary)

Example of recommendations

• The Department of Health, in consultation with health services, should improve the measures it uses to assess health service energy efficiency performance. (view report summary)
• The Department of Health should adopt a more focused and strategic approach to planning for energy efficiency in the health sector to:
  • support consistent planning at a health service level
  • align with statewide goals for health services. (view report summary)
• The Government should demonstrate leadership by providing clear guidance for all public bodies on the actions that are required to improve energy efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions. (view report summary)
• The public sector should ensure that effective strategies are in place to improve energy efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions throughout all areas of public sector activity. These strategies should be supported by comprehensive plans detailing the actions to be taken to achieve agreed objectives and time-related targets. (view report summary)
• The public sector should collect accurate and consistent data on energy consumption within all sites which they own or lease and in their transport use. Public bodies in multiple occupancy buildings need to work with landlords and other occupiers to establish procedures for identifying local consumption data. (view report summary)
• The public sector should ensure that energy efficiency is considered in the procurement of goods and services and in the planning and design of major capital projects. (view report summary)
• The public bodies should build energy efficiency considerations into asset management and estate rationalisation decisions, involving energy officers or teams wherever possible. (view report summary)
• The public bodies should ensure they have systems in place to collect accurate data on transport use and resulting CO2 emissions. (view report summary)

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