Structure of the Guide

The Guide has been structured to assist both public sector executives and environmental managers to better monitor compliance with their environmental obligations and to identify opportunities to further enhance the performance of their organisations through improved environmental practices.

The Guide is divided into two parts:

• Part 1: Environmental Management Fundamentals for Executives—provides public sector executives with an overview of the fundamentals of sound environmental management practice, including the current environmental management framework and associated responsibilities. This Part also steps through approaches to better manage environmental impacts, monitor compliance and successfully implement targeted improvements. A list of key considerations for improving the environmental performance of an entity is also included.
• Part 2: Principles and Practices to Improve Environmental Management Across Key Operational Areas—comprises six chapters, which cover the following key operational areas: energy; ICT; waste; water; travel; and property. The chapters are aligned with the core elements of the environmental management framework. Each chapter provides step-by-step guidance for environmental managers and sets out: why action is important; what is required; where to begin; and what areas to focus on. A checklist of actions and references to additional guidance materials are provided at the end of each chapter.

The structure of the Guide replicates the key elements of the environmental management framework illustrated in Figure 2 below. Whilst acknowledging that the chapters within Part 2 are interrelated, each chapter can be read independently. Cross-referencing has been used to highlight the relationships between operational areas and/or chapters. Where initiatives and practices outlined in Part 2 potentially relate to more than one chapter, for simplicity, they are listed under the chapter with which they most closely align.

Previous: Development of the Guide

Next: Part 1. Environmental Management Fundamentals for Executives