The government obtained 28.3% of its electricity from renewable sources last year, far higher than the target of 10% by 2008, according to a new report.

Carbon emission reductions from offices fell by 4% compared with the 1999 baseline, says the report by the Sustainable Development Commission, the government’s independent watchdog.

However, nearly two-thirds of departments are not on track to meet their 12.5% emission reduction target by 2010/11 – and the 4% reduction is largely due to the MoD estate. Excluding MoD figures, emissions increased by 22%.

Water consumption was cut by only 0.1%, so the government is off target for a 25% cut by 2020.

The report says: “Unless the government takes serious action to cut its own CO2 emissions, it will lack credibility in its challenge to society to do the same.”

Source

Building Sustainable Design

Postscript

For the full report visit www.sd-commission.org.uk/sdig2007/