Working to meet carbon targets
November 1st 2011 New research by the Carbon Trust
reveals that the public sector has
doubled its determination to tackle
climate change over the past five
years despite facing difficult
economic times.
Fresh analysis of 472 public sector
bodies working with the Carbon
Trust shows that average carbon
reduction targets have almost
doubled since 2006, rising from 16%
to over 28% in 2011. This suggests
that the government's ambition to
cut the carbon emissions from the
Central Government estate by 25%
by 2015 is realistic and achievable.
Given that the Carbon Trust ensures
that public bodies underpin their
targets with projects that more than
pay back the initial investment, it
also suggests that the Central
Government Estate target will save
the taxpayer money.
Tim Pryce, Head of Public Sector,
said: "The public sector has a vital
leadership role to play in helping the
UK to meet its carbon targets. The
research findings are very
encouraging. The Government has
set itself a 25% reduction target for
its own estate, which is
commendable. But it is exciting to
see leading organisations elsewhere
in the public sector matching that
level of ambition, and saving the
taxpayer money at the same time.
Pryce continues: "Based on this
evidence, we believe there is a case
for this 25% ambition to be taken up
by the wider public sector estate to
ensure continued delivery on
national carbon targets and further
cost savings."
He added: "Through our work
with public sector customers, the
Carbon Trust has identified £2bn of
potential savings currently in the
pipeline. But this will only be
achieved with the right direction,
leadership and expert support." More articles from The Carbon Trust: | 
