Walking the talk in sustainability

The quality of the nominees for the 2006 Govt³ awards confirmed the New Zealand government was walking the talk on the environment and climate change, according to Environment Minister David Benson-Pope.

Benson-Pope announced the eight winners of the 2006 Govt³ Awards at Parliament's Banquet Hall. Led by the Ministry for the Environment, Govt3 encourages government agencies to be more energy efficient, save water, reduce waste and recycle, and make environmentally sound transport decisions.

This year's awards are the second round of Govt³ awards, and 57 nominations were received in eight categories: sustainable buildings, transport, procurement practice, energy efficiency, recycling and waste minimisation, office consumables and equipment, leadership and staff behaviour change.

"The number and the quality of this year's nominations shows that Govt³ is really taking hold in the public sector, and making a real contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions," said Benson-Pope.

"For government to show genuine leadership, we have to walk the talk "“ and Govt³ enables us to do that."

The award winners are as follows:

• Sustainable buildings/fit-outs in development "“ Department of Conservation;
• Recycling/waste minimisation "“ The Treasury and Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority;
• Office consumables "“ Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet;
• Transport "“ Inland Revenue;
• Procurement "“ New Zealand Defence Force;
• Energy efficiency "“ Department of Corrections;
• Behavioural change "“ Inland Revenue;
• Leadership "“ Inland Revenue and Ministry of Fisheries.