MoreThanWaste.com - Framework for Sustainable Development on the Government Estate (FSDGE) (06/10/2006)

Sustainable Operations

All Government Departments have an important contribution to make to sustainable development through their policies and services, but also through support activities that go on daily. Decisions taken in relation to energy, water and waste management, and the goods and services bought, all throw light on the Government's commitment to sustainable development.

New targets have been established by central Government Departments and will apply to all central Government Departments, executive agencies, and to Non-Departmental Public Bodies (NDPBs) as appropriate.

The targets provide consistency of approach across central Government priority areas for action. It is envisaged that they will lead to substantial improvements in the way that Government manages its land and buildings from a sustainability perspective.

Sustainably managed estates

A sustainably managed estate has the following features:

Modern, resource efficient, low energy usage buildings;
well conserved and managed land;
efficient use of space and ways of working; and
the principles of sustainable development embedded into working practices.

Central Government indicates that it should lead by example and appears to be strongly committed to achieving sustainable development.

Again Government considers that sustainable operations are consistent with value for money and efficiency, and are an important element of building a modern and resource efficient public sector.

Targets

Tony Blair launched new targets for sustainable operations on the Government estate in June 2006, along with the Sustainable Procurement Action Plan.

These targets replace those in the Framework for Sustainable Development on the Government Estate (originally published between 2002 and 2004). View the targets

Carbon neutrality

The Government office estate aims to go carbon neutral by 2012.

Carbon neutrality indicates that the estate must have zero net carbon dioxide emissions. This can be achieved through a combination of reducing carbon emissions, using renewable energy and offsetting the remaining balance of emissions. Emissions that cannot be eliminated could be offset either through carbon reduction projects overseas or by paying into a fund to reinvest in energy efficiency on the Government estate.

Government indicates that carbon offsetting should not be seen as the ultimate solution for Governmental carbon emissions. A simple offsetting scheme will need to be developed for the Government estate.

Targets for Carbon emissions reduction

Government intends to reduce carbon emissions from its office based estate by 30% by 2020.

At the launch of the new operations targets, Secretary of State for the Environment David Miliband said that the Government would:-

“put the UK on a more sustainable path”, by improving the way it buys goods and runs its offices aiming to lead in sustainable procurement in the EU by 2009.

Also at the launch Tony Blair, said:

“We are taking an important step today when it comes to greening Government, by committing to make by 2012 the Government office estate carbon neutral and committing to reduce Government’s total emissions from buildings by 30%.”

The Government estate also has new sustainability targets by 2020 in other areas, including:

To recycle 75% of waste;
to reduce the waste generated by 25%;
to reduce water consumption by 25%;
to increase energy efficiency by 30% per square metre

Reference sustainable development web site www.sustainable-development.gov.uk
page "Sustainable development on the Government Estate".


	Framework for Sustainable Development on the Government Estate (FSDGE) (06/10/2006) Sustainable Operations All Government Departments have an important contribution to make to sustainable development through their policies and services, but also through support activities that go on daily. Decisions taken in relation to energy, water and waste management, and the goods and services bought, all throw light on the Government's commitment to sustainable development. New targets have been established by central Government Departments and will apply to all central Government Departments, executive agencies, and to Non-Departmental Public Bodies (NDPBs) as appropriate. The targets provide consistency of approach across central Government priority areas for action. It is envisaged that they will lead to substantial improvements in the way that Government manages its land and buildings from a sustainability perspective. Sustainably managed estates A sustainably managed estate has the following features: Modern, resource efficient, low energy usage buildings; well conserved and managed land; efficient use of space and ways of working; and the principles of sustainable development embedded into working practices. Central Government indicates that it should lead by example and appears to be strongly committed to achieving sustainable development. Again Government considers that sustainable operations are consistent with value for money and efficiency, and are an important element of building a modern and resource efficient public sector. Targets Tony Blair launched new targets for sustainable operations on the Government estate in June 2006, along with the Sustainable Procurement Action Plan. These targets replace those in the Framework for Sustainable Development on the Government Estate (originally published between 2002 and 2004). View the targets Carbon neutrality The Government office estate aims to go carbon neutral by 2012. Carbon neutrality indicates that the estate must have zero net carbon dioxide emissions. This can be achieved through a combination of reducing carbon emissions, using renewable energy and offsetting the remaining balance of emissions. Emissions that cannot be eliminated could be offset either through carbon reduction projects overseas or by paying into a fund to reinvest in energy efficiency on the Government estate. Government indicates that carbon offsetting should not be seen as the ultimate solution for Governmental carbon emissions. A simple offsetting scheme will need to be developed for the Government estate. Targets for Carbon emissions reduction Government intends to reduce carbon emissions from its office based estate by 30% by 2020. At the launch of the new operations targets, Secretary of State for the Environment David Miliband said that the Government would:- “put the UK on a more sustainable path”, by improving the way it buys goods and runs its offices aiming to lead in sustainable procurement in the EU by 2009. Also at the launch Tony Blair, said: “We are taking an important step today when it comes to greening Government, by committing to make by 2012 the Government office estate carbon neutral and committing to reduce Government’s total emissions from buildings by 30%.” The Government estate also has new sustainability targets by 2020 in other areas, including: To recycle 75% of waste; to reduce the waste generated by 25%; to reduce water consumption by 25%; to increase energy efficiency by 30% per square metre Reference sustainable development web site www.sustainable-development.gov.uk page "Sustainable development on the Government Estate".