Isramart : Government buildings on CO2 target

Isramart news:
The government expects to meet its carbon dioxide reduction targets in its occupied buildings, according to data from the Office of Government Commerce (OGC) relating to Whitehall's sustainability targets. At the same time the Sustainable Development Commission (SDC) described the government's progress on cutting emissions as "great".

The figures showed that last year there was a 10 per cent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions (6.3 per cent the year before) from government offices compared with 1999. And predictions are that the government is in a good position not only to exceed its current target of 12.5 per cent by the end of March 2011 but to achieve a 17.8 per cent reduction in carbon emissions compared with ten years ago.

Economic secretary to the Treasury Ian Pearson said: "We are dedicated to encouraging more radical and innovative approaches to tackling negative impacts on the environment and we will announce new targets for Whitehall next year following a comprehensive review, to ensure they remain relevant, ambitious and lead best practice."

The SDC's vice-chair Rebecca Willis commented: "It's great to see the progress that has been made in the last 12 months, thanks to considerable efforts from government. We have seen improvements from road transport, water, waste and recycling targets. The next task for government is to get to grips with its supply chain, and to look at the performance of all government agencies, including its non-departmental public bodies. The world is coming to understand the urgent need to cut carbon dioxide emissions and live within environmental limits. The government now needs to make sure that its own performance matches the scale of the challenge."