A performance audit into the ACT Public Service’s use of electric vehicles to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions has found the practice to be “mostly effective” in implementing the ACT Government’s goal of zero emissions for its vehicle commitments.
In his report, ACT Government’s Vehicle Emissions Reduction Activities, Auditor-General Michael Harris said the ACT Agencies had prepared and implemented four plans and strategies since April 2018 which aimed to reduce transport‐related greenhouse gas emissions by increasing the uptake of zero emissions technologies.
Mr Harris said the four plans were the ACT’s Transition to Zero Emissions Vehicles Action Plan 2018–21; the ACT Climate Change Strategy 2019‐25; the ACT Transport Strategy 2020; and the Zero‐ Emission Transition Plan for Transport Canberra.
“Of the 16 zero emissions vehicles commitments made in 2018 and 2019, 12 have been completed as at December 2020,” Mr Harris said.
“The Plans and Strategies within which the commitments are made provide an effective statement of the Government’s ambitions in this policy area,” he said.
“Implementation of the commitments has been largely achieved, with clear roles and responsibilities, and productive collaboration between teams and Directorates.”
Mr Harris said two aspects of the planning and implementation of commitments were not effectively managed, both of which were related to new policy directions.
He said these were the transition of the Territory’s passenger fleet, and changes to the Territory Plan that created a requirement for the installation of electric vehicle charging equipment in multi‐unit and mixed‐use developments.
“In relation to the transition of the ACT Government’s passenger fleet, the lack of progress in agreeing a set of guiding principles for parking and vehicle charging has led to delays in establishing appropriate charging infrastructure in the two new government office buildings at Civic and Dickson,” the Auditor-General said.
“As for changes to the Territory Plan, a lack of shared understanding and agreement between teams within the Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate led to delays.”
Mr Harris made five recommendations for improvement, including recommendations aimed at addressing shared implementation planning, reporting and fleet policy.
“The Government’s progress in fulfilling its zero emissions vehicle ambitions could be improved with balanced, comprehensive, public commentary on its commitments,” he said.
The Auditor-General’s 113-page Report can be accessed at this PS News link.
