Environment

Environmental performance data

GHG Emissions
Unit
FY18
FY19
FY20
% Change
from FY19
Scope 1
Kilotonnes CO2-e
389.25
370.86
395.0
7%
Scope 2
Kilotonnes CO2-e
86.5
85.6
81.8
–4%
Scope 3
Kilotonnes CO2-e
426.9
387.3
418.2
8%
Total (Scope 1+2+3)
Kilotonnes CO2-e
902.65
843.75
895.0
6%
Total (Scope 1+2)
Kilotonnes CO2-e
475.75
456.46
476.8
4%
Intensity (Scope 1+2)
tonnes CO2-e/$AUD M
40.95
33.96
35.5
5%
Revenue
AUD$m
11,637
13,448
13,418
0%
GHG emissions (Scope 1 and 2)
by sources
Unit
FY18
FY19
FY20
% Change
from FY19
Electricity used by facilities
Kilotonnes CO2-e
86.5
84.2
80.7
–4%
Liquid fuels
Kilotonnes CO2-e
315.75
298.26
322.5
8%
Natural gas
Kilotonnes CO2-e
70.3
70.4
69.8
–1%
Fugitive emissions from coal mining
Kilotonnes CO2-e
1.8
2.0
1.57
–26%
Steam
Kilotonnes CO2-e
1.4
1.2
–14%
Refrigerants
Kilotonnes CO2-e
1.4
0.1
0.2
100%
Emissions from wastewater
Kilotonnes CO2-e
0.9
New
Total Scope 1 and 2
Kilotonnes CO2-e
457.75
456.36
476.8
4%
GHG emissions Scope 3
Unit
FY18
FY19
FY20
% Change
from FY19
Emissions from contract mining operations not under Downer’s operational control
Kilotonnes CO2-e
360.9
317.7
357.8
12%
Emissions from engineering, construction and rail projects not under Downer’s operational control
Kilotonnes CO2-e
19.7
8.9
24.18
171%
Business travel – business flights and rental vehicles
Kilotonnes CO2-e
46.3
60.8
31.6
–48%
Waste-to-landfill
Kilotonnes CO2-e
4.7
New
Total Scope 3
Kilotonnes CO2-e
426.9
387.4
418.2
8%
Energy Consumption
Unit
FY18
FY19
FY20
% Change
from FY19
Liquid fuels
terajoules
4,741.35
4,438.46
4,820.0
9%
Natural gas
terajoules
1,359.5
1,356.3
1,345.4
–1%
Electricity
terajoules
430.9
433.6
435.7
0%
Steam
terajoules
29.8
30.4
2%
Other substances
terajoules
No change
Renewables
terajoules
2.1
5.3
5.7
8%
Total consumption
terajoules
6,533.85
6,263.46
6,637.1
6%
Energy intensity
terajoules/AUD$m
0.565
0.476
0.49
4%
Energy Production
Unit
FY18
FY19
FY20
% Change
from FY19
Solar PV
terajoules
2.1
5.3
5.7
8%
Thermal generation
terajoules
2
–100%
Saleable coal
terajoules
100,544.30
89,102.40
100,442.60
–13%
Total Production
terajoules
100,546.40
89,109.71
100,448.31
13%
  1. This figure has been restated compared to the 2019 Sustainability Report, due to the inclusion of subcontractor emissions in FY18 comparatives. The impact of this inclusion is an increase in Scope 1 emissions of 54,480 tCO2-e and energy consumption of 780.2 TJ
  2. This figure has been restated compared to the 2019 Sustainability Report, due to the impact of a revision in the subcontractor estimation methodology for the NZ business. The impact of this revision is an increase in Scope 1 emissions of 14,549 tCO2-e and energy consumption of 206.7 TJ
  3. There is a variance of 28,404 tCO2-e between Downer’s FY20 NGER submission and this report, which relates to a difference in methodology of reporting fugitive gas emissions from the Commodore Mine. Downer has historically reported its fugitive gas emissions from the Commodore Mine using the methodology prescribed under Section 3.21 of the NGER Determination 2008: ‘Fugitive emissions from extraction of coal – Method 2’. This requires external gas modelling for all pits from which Downer extracts coal to provide a tailored estimate of fugitive gas emissions. For the FY20 reporting period, Commodore Mine commenced extraction of coal from a new pit, for which external gas modelling has not been obtained. Therefore, Downer is required to report emissions from the new pit in accordance with Section 3.20 of the NGER Determination 2008: ‘Fugitive emissions from extraction of coal – Method 1’, which prescribes a default, State-based factor to estimate fugitive emissions. To maintain year-on-year consistency, Downer has decided not to follow the prescribed recommendation from the regulator for the purpose of this report. Downer’s expectation is that when the gas report is received, the estimate disclosed in this Sustainability Report will not be materially misstated. Therefore, Downer has used the largest emissions value from the closest pit based on the existing GeoGas model, and applied this to the new pit. Downer believes this solution is appropriate because the coal seam is uniform across the mine. Downer is committed to obtaining detailed gas modelling for the new pit and will report again in accordance with Method 2 for the FY21 Sustainability Report.
  4. Includes data from Spotless sites that are not under Downer’s operational control, which is included for the first time in FY20. When these sites are excluded, emissions in FY20 are 11.8 ktCO2-e, which represents a 33 per cent increase compared to FY19.