Departments and contractors called upon to cut Central Government carbon emissions

Departments and contractors are being urged to work together to cut Central Government carbon emissions by ten per cent.

The Government’s new Energy Efficiency Code states that all departments should work with facilities management contractors to prepare plans to cut carbon by ten per cent by May 2011, give serious consideration to private sector ideas to cut carbon emissions and agree to explore agreements, possibly through changes to existing contracts, which benefit government departments and private companies in their pursuit of reducing carbon emissions.

In response, contractors are asked to share their expertise with public bodies and actively identify opportunities to reduce energy emissions.

Major companies also outlined how they can share best practice on saving energy use and what can be achieved in pursuit of this goal.

To encourage better energy use the Office of Government Commerce has produced new guidance for Government departments and facilities management suppliers.
 
The Minister for Cabinet Office, Francis Maude said: "The public sector as a whole is responsible for three per cent of UK carbon emissions and spends more than £2.5 billion on energy every year."

"This Government is determined to tackle waste wherever it exists, and that includes energy use. If people can see how much energy departments are using then government’s energy use is under more scrutiny."

Further information:
Cabinet Office