Working to meet carbon targets

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."