Defence recognises that effective environmental management is an important part of successfully undertaking Defence activities and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) capability and the Defence estate.

Defence understands its responsibilities in environmental management and is committed to complying with Commonwealth environmental legislation and regulations such as the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

In December 2005, the Secretary for the Department of Defence and the Chief of the Defence Force re-endorsed the Defence Environmental Policy. The Policy demonstrates Defence's strong commitment to managing and improving its environmental performance through an EMS approach and communicates a clear environmental vision that states:

The Defence Environmental Policy is implemented through the Defence Environmental Strategic Plan 2006-2009.

Defence implemented the Australian Government's policy direction that all Commonwealth Agencies were to have a corporate EMS in place by December 2002, with at least one site certified by December 2003. Defence achieved these requirements through the corporate EMS being assessed as consistent with the international standard ISO 14001: 2004 Environmental Management Systems and Certification of RAAF Base Townsville's EMS and subsequent certification of Puckapunyal Military Area. Defence continues to progressively roll-out its EMS approach through higher risk Groups and Services activities and at its key Defence sites, where activities and the stewardship of environmental values need to be managed on the ground.

The purpose of Defence's EMS is to provide an integrated approach to environmental management as part of everyday business. The Defence EMS aims to provide a robust system that enables Defence to identify and manage potential impacts on the environment that may arise from its activities. The Defence EMS model is displayed below.

For further information on the Defence EMS please email environmentandheritage@defence.gov.au.

This website aims to promote our environmental and heritage vision: 'Defence will be a leader in sustainable environmental management to support the ADF's capability to defend Australia and its national interests'.