Released 05/04/2024
The ACT Emergency Services Agency (ESA) has won the Net-Zero Emissions award at the National Banksia Sustainability Awards for their work in lowering emissions across the agency.
ESA has been working towards addressing the United Nations Sustainability Goals, and this award showcases the Agency as an industry leading, safe and sustainable, emergency service for the ACT community.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Fire and Emergency Services, Mick Gentleman:
“In 2018 when the ACT Government adopted the Transition to Zero Emissions Vehicles Plan 2019-2021, the ESA was motivated to improve their workforce to be safer and more sustainable for both staff, volunteers and those in which they serve, the Canberra community.
“Since it’s commencement in 2019 I am proud to say that the ESA sustainability program has achieved a number of significant outcomes. These include;
1. the implementation of the southern hemisphere’s first electric fire truck
2. implementation of the first battery-electric breathing apparatus support truck
3. the commencement of the build and design process for two fully electric and;
4. EV ready fire and ambulance stations.
“I hope that this award empowers not only the ESA but the whole of the ACT government to continue their hard work in the sustainability space, making our capital a safer place for all.
“I would also like to recognise the ACT Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate for their nomination for a Banksia award in the Healthy Planet, Healthy People category. It is great to see the ACT government being recognised as a leader in reducing emissions.”
Quotes attributable to the ESA Commissioner, Wayne Phillips:
“The ESA is honoured to have received a National Banksia Sustainability Award for our work delivered as part of the ESA Sustainability program.
“Due to approximately 85% of all ESA emissions coming from transport, ESA has largely focused on actions within the transport sector to best fight the worsening climate emergency. As a result of our work the ESA has successfully seen annual emissions fall significantly from 2019, and we hope for this to only improve as we continue our work in this space.
“I would like to thank all of the ESA staff and volunteers, as well as our union partners for their hard work in making our Agency a leader in sustainability. I would also like to use this opportunity thank our partners across the ACT Government and the Zero-Emissions Vehicle Strategy Implementation Team, whom without we wouldn’t have been able to achieve what we have.”
- Statement ends -
Mick Gentleman, MLA | Media Releases