PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
PUBLIC SECTOR CARBON EMISSIONS (22 May 2007)

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 its 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 its 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 the 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 per year through energy and water saving; and therefore calls for a renewed commitment by the Government that the energy standards of the buildings it purchases, leases or procures will be in the top quartile of energy performance in order to meet its energy and carbon targets and to transform the wider commercial property market.

Sponsored by:
Colin Challen (Labour)