Government office estate to be carbon neutral by 2012

The government has set itself the ambitious target of its entire office estate being carbon neutral by 2012. This is one of several targets set by environment minister David Miliband. Other targets include reducing carbon emissions from its office estate by 30% by 2020.

Other key targets include:

• Recycling 75% of waste and reducing waste generated by 25%.
• Reducing water consumption by 25%.
• Increasing energy efficiency by 30% per square metre.

The targets were revealed on the same day that Sir Neville Simms, the former Carillion chairman, launched the Sustainable Procurement Task Force’s National Action Plan.

Sir Neville said: “This is our plan for action. It requires determined effort from the top down throughout both central and local government, the NHS, indeed everyone who either spends money from the public purse or on behalf of the public.

“This is worth doing, there are clear benefits, it can be done, it is not difficult, it will not cost more in the medium term and will show real dividends in the long-term.”