Public Sector Carbon Emissions

EDM number 175 in 2007-08, proposed by Gregory Barker on 08/11/2007.
Categorised under the topics of Central government, Climate change, Companies, Energy conservation, Environmental protection and Local government.

That this House notes that the public sector is responsible for five per cent. of total UK carbon emissions and is a significant player in the commercial tenancy market; welcomes the Government's targets for carbon and energy efficiency performance on their own estate as set out in the 2004 Energy Efficiency Action Plan and restated in the 2005 Common Minimum Standards for public sector building procurement; welcomes in particular their commitment to procure only buildings in the top quartile of energy performance, believing that this will have a marked effect on the wider commercial property market; notes with concern that, according to a new report from the National Audit Office, most Government departments and agencies are failing to meet these targets, which will in turn render unachievable the new carbon and energy efficiency targets laid down in March 2007 Sustainable Operations on the Government Estate; further notes with concern that 14 Government departments are less energy efficient than they were in 2000 and that sustainable public buildings can save at least £20 million a year through energy and water efficiency; and therefore calls for a renewed commitment by the Government that the energy standards of the buildings they purchase, lease or procure will be in the top quartile of energy performance in order to meet their energy and carbon targets and to transform the wider commercial property market.

This motion has been signed by a total of 51 MPs.