UK government criticized over its own carbon emissions

London (Platts)--7Mar2007

The UK government has been criticized for failing to reduce carbon
emissions sufficiently from its own offices. A report from the Sustainable
Development Commission Wednesday said that the government was "failing to meet
carbon, waste and water targets."

The report, "Sustainable Development in Government 2006," assesses
government operations to ensure that resources are managed sustainably. It
finds patchy data and poor performance across most areas, the SDC said.

Departments are not on track to meet the carbon reduction target of 12.5%
by 2010. On average, departments have reduced carbon emissions by 0.5% since
1999. However, 15 departments have increased carbon emissions since 1999. Most
departments are using energy less efficiently than they did in 1999.

Departments generated more waste than last year. Total waste increased
from 163,847 tonnes to 186,380 tonnes. Nine departments could not provide
proper waste data.

Departments also failed to meet the target of 7.7 cubic meters of water
per person. Instead, departments consume an average of 10.2 cubic meters per
person. The Cabinet Office was furthest from the target, consuming 19 cubic
meters water per person.

The Department for Transport has increased CO2 emissions from road
transport by approximately 40% since 2002.

However, the report did find some progress. Overall, recycling has risen
by 8%. The Department of Health now recycles 85.4% of its waste. Government is
buying 3% more of its electricity from renewable energy sources, compared to
last year. Sites of Special Scientific Interest are well managed across the
government estate.

The SDC report highlights the strong performances of the Department of
Trade and Industry, the Department of Health and the Department for Work and
Pensions, but criticizes the very poor performances of the Cabinet Office, the
Department for Transport, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Law
Officers' Department, and the Export Credits Guarantee Department.

Jonathon Porritt, SDC Chair, said: "Overall, government performance is
simply not good enough. Against a background of non-stop messages on climate
change and corporate social responsibility, the government has failed to get
its own house in order. It's absolutely inexcusable that government is lagging
so far behind the private sector, when it should be leading the way."