The estimated carbon emissions from DFID UK estate from 19991 are:
Year Estimated Carbon Emissions 1999-2000 686,182 2000-2001 728,763 2001-2002 756,814 2002-2003 771,179 2003-2004 1,011,155 2004-2005 1 ,046,422 2005-2006 1,114,132 1No data available prior to 1999
DFID is strongly committed to the targets set out in the Framework for Sustainable Development on the Government Estate which were revised in June 2006. DFID achieved “very good” and “excellent” BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology) ratings for the last refurbishments of the UK estate. The increase in levels of carbon emissions in recent years has mainly been due to increased staffing levels, new IT systems/equipment requiring new test and production environments, and more IT equipment supporting our overseas estate.
DFID has recently signed up to the Carbon Trust (CT) Framework Agreement. The CT consultants have now conducted an energy audit of both UK offices and concluded that the buildings are “well operated and maintained” and “inherently energy efficient”. We are nevertheless working with the CT to make further improvements to our energy efficiency through such measures as energy efficiency campaigns.