The Energy Supply Association of Australia today named The Australian Gas Light Company's Sustainability Report 2004 as the winner of the 2004 esaa Environment Report Award.

A three-member assessment panel comprising Dr Helen Murphy, Director of Helix Environmental, Ms Chris Burnup, Director of Jacquard Projects and Mr David Hyett, Principal Consultant - Environmental of Maunsell & Partners made their decision based on a detailed quantitative and qualitative assessment model developed by the federal Department of Environment and Heritage and unanimously selected the AGL Sustainability Report as the best report for 2004.

The judges also commended environmental reports from International Power Hazelwood and Integral Energy.

The panel said AGL's report demonstrated a high level of detail and rigour and an innovative approach to communicating environmental impacts by including 'footprints' which measure AGL's annual greenhouse gas impact and allow the company to track performance over time.

Assessors said AGL's report showed it could work with both upstream and downstream participants to improve energy efficiency, and contained well-integrated social reporting on employee and community issues, as well as governance issues.

International Power Hazelwood's report was praised for its highly detailed reporting of environmental matters, and Integral Energy was applauded for its integrated approach to triple bottom line reporting pillars and its emphasis on sustainability reporting.

esaa Chief Executive Officer Brad Page said the high standard of entries entered into this year's award reflected the industry's increased recognition of the importance of reporting their commitment to and achievements in environmental and sustainability initiatives.

"AGL, International Power Hazelwood and Integral Energy are to be congratulated for their efforts in improving the transparency and accessibility of their sustainability initiatives," said Mr Page.

"This year's entries demonstrate the commitment the energy industry is making to environmental matters, and importantly, its increasing adoption of broader social aspects, such as employee and community issues, into sustainability reporting."

esaa has conducted the Environment Report Award - which aims to encourage member businesses to prepare environmental reports and improve the content and effectiveness of their reports - since 2000.

Past winners include inaugural winner Stanwell Corporation Ltd, Loy Yang Power Pty Ltd - which won in 2001 and 2002 - and 2003 winner ENERGEX Limited.

The award is to be presented in Sydney today.

Copies of the reports from AGL, International Power Hazelwood and Integral Energy can be accessed at The Australian Gas Light Company Sustainability Report 2004, International Power Hazelwood's Annual Report on the environment, health & safety and community 2003 and Integral Energy Annual Report 2002-2003 - Environmental Performance.

Media contact: Melissa Baldwin 03 9670 0188

The Energy Supply Association of Australia (esaa) represents Australia's electricity and downstream gas businesses.
esaa's 40-plus member businesses have almost $108 billion in assets and infrastructure investment plans worth more than $30 billion over the next decade. esaa member CEOs are committed to working constructively with government to achieve national policy reforms that will secure Australia's energy future, ensuring reliable and competitively-priced energy for the community.