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CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY AND SUSTAINABILITY REPORT

CORPORATE PERFORMANCE



DEXUS is committed to identifying cost effective ways to continuously improve our environmental performance in our corporate operations.


We recognise that this is a prudent risk management strategy as we prepare for a carbon constrained future. While it is in our property operations that we can achieve significant greenhouse gas reductions, ensuring climate change risks are embedded within our organisation at every level is critical to achieving success. We have a number of initiatives in place to minimise the carbon impact of our operations, including:

  • Reducing the amount of corporate air travel by utilising video conferencing technology
  • Introducing energy efficient measures such as automatic PC shutdown and controlled printing strategies
  • Engaging employees through the intranet and online newsletters to embrace new sustainability initiatives (e.g. energy efficiency and waste recycling initiatives)
  • Improving waste and recycling systems to optimise the diversion from landfill

In May 2007, DEXUS signed up to the CitySwitch Program, then known as the 3CBD's Program. The CitySwitch program, which began as an initiative between City of Sydney, Parramatta and North Sydney Councils, has become a national program, encouraging tenants to undertake a NABERS Energy Tenancy Rating and develop an energy improvement plan.

In 2007 DEXUS undertook a NABERS Energy rating for our head office premises. Our rating in 2008 was 3.5 Stars and we have since commenced initiatives to improve our energy efficiency and our rating to 4 stars in the next rating period.


DEXUS workplace working group

The Workplace Working Group (WWG), was established in 2008 and involves employees from across the business. Since its inception the group has identified a number of opportunities to improve the operational efficiency of our corporate operations. Significant focus has been on waste and recycling, IT and operational systems, travel and conferencing.

Sustainable IT solutions

Over the last 12 months our IT team has implemented a number of initiatives that have improved our operational efficiency and reduced resource consumption. These initiatives include:

1. Server room management

Our IT team reviewed our data room air temperature settings which were set at a conservative 16 degrees. Investigating all associated risks and ensuring the measures were appropriate, the temperature was reset to 22 degrees which is expected to deliver a significant saving in cooling costs and energy consumption.

2. Sleep mode for computers

During the year we introduced an automated system which places inactive computers into sleep mode after 8.00pm, which is anticipated to reduce our energy usage by half or approximately 30,000 kWh. This not only lowers the amount of energy being consumed due to less processor activity, but also extends the life of our computers, reducing replacement costs.

3. Smarter printing

A new process for printing was implemented in November 2008 enabling printing to occur only once an employee’s access card has been logged at the printer. This system limits paper wastage by preventing documents being left at the printer. New default printer settings such as double sided printing have been implemented and reports on usage patterns are enabling us to monitor paper consumption.

Additional initiatives currently under development include:

  • Web-based video conferencing system
    This initiative seeks to reduce travel costs, optimise management time and decrease our travel emissions footprint and has been trialled in 2009. For example, our CEO recently conducted an eight hour meeting with a service provider in the US via video conferencing avoiding the need to fly to Chicago – a saving of over 4,000 kilograms CO2-e.
  • Online Servicedesk portal
    We have developed an online ServiceDesk portal which removes the need for paper based systems to authorise and lodge IT system requests.