Policies and initiatives > Direction 7. A greener city > Policy 7.9

Policy 7.9 – Lead by example in environmental management

Although our cities and towns offer a wide range of opportunities and lifestyle choices, they consume natural capital (non-renewable resources such as fossil fuels and natural ecosystems) at an unsustainable rate. Not only are cities the sites of much localised pollution, they also have an environmental impact that reaches far beyond their urban boundaries.

Leading by example, the Government will address the environmental impacts associated with its own activities, including energy use, the use of paper and other materials, the generation of waste, use of water, and transport. Recent commitments include a 15 per cent energy reduction target and a 5 per cent use of renewable energy for government buildings, as well as adoption of a government green purchasing policy. Continual improvements will need to be made to ensure best practice performance is achieved.

Water and energy supply are two of the most important challenges facing Victoria. The Government is encouraging best practice in energy efficiency including the development of new opportunities for renewable energy.

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