Isra-Mart srl : Cameron challenges Whitehall with carbon-cutting competition

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David Cameron today issued a challenge to all government departments, urging them to compete to cut their energy use during the month of October.

The prime minister called for a special month-long focus on energy efficiency as part of the coalition's plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions from central government departments by 10 per cent during its first year in office.

Over the summer, all departments launched online energy meters revealing how much their central offices are using each day and Cameron said that the data would now be made available in an online league table that will show how each department is doing compared to its peers.

"In May I called for real action to make us the greenest government ever," Cameron said. "I made a commitment that over the next 12 months, central government departments would reduce their carbon emissions by 10 per cent. We have made a start but clearly we can all do much more to show leadership on this vital issue. So today is a clear challenge to cabinet ministers and an opportunity for the public to hold us to account."

The competition was welcomed by energy and climate change secretary Chris Huhne, who has been tasked with ensuring Whitehall's 10 per cent target is met.

"Whitehall must lead the way if we are to inspire the public to reduce their energy use," he said. "This challenge underlines the urgency of tackling emissions and introduces some healthy competition to bring out innovative ideas. Making a 10 per cent reduction in emissions in just one year needs all departments to make a contribution and in particular staff need to play their part in building a greener government."

The competition will serve to bolster the government's green credentials after several months during which the coalition has been criticised by businesses and environmentalists over proposed cuts to various environmental programmes.

It will also serve to highlight some of the steps Whitehall has already taken to enhance its energy efficiency, including DECC's trial of innovative new ceiling tiles that store heat during the day and release it in the evening.