The carbon neutral public sector

• Published in: Public management review 2009-09, Vol.11 (5), p.575-600
• Main Authors: Ball, Amanda, Mason, Ian, Grubnic, Suzana, Hughes, Phil
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Australia; Carbon emissions; Climate change; Government; New Zealand; Public sector; United Kingdom
• ISSN: 1471-9037
• DOI: 10.1080/14719030902798263

This paper argues for research into the effectiveness of government strategies for a 'carbon neutral public sector'. We review initiatives in three OECD countries: New Zealand, Australia and the UK. In all jurisdictions, government agencies have consistently stressed 'leading by example' as a rationale for adoption. 'Direct mandate' by the Prime Minister (NZ); 'organic development' from wider central government sustainability initiatives (UK); and a more 'laissez faire' approach by Australian Federal and State Governments, were identified as the general pathways leading to implementation. Our assessment indicates: a lack of understanding of the implementation process for carbon neutrality; a need to identify and critically examine the 'offset threshold' at which mitigation efforts cease and offsetting is adopted; an absence of any evaluation of the 'leading by example' rationale; a lack of inter-country comparisons; a gap in understanding the relationship with economic and social aspects of sustainability; and a need to evaluate the utility of core government departments as the focus of carbon accounting. We urge colleagues to consider research in this area with a view to contributing to the interdisciplinary solutions which we believe are required. Reprinted by permission of Routledge, Taylor and Francis Ltd.