The Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) has already signed up to the 10:10 campaign for cutting carbon emissions by 10 per cent. in 2010; and is committed to working towards this target with its executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs). CLG understands the 10:10 campaign to relate to carbon emissions from energy use, owned vehicles and air travel.
The two main decision criteria in signing up were performance to date and the availability of cost-effective carbon reduction opportunities deliverable over the next 12 months.
The CLG Group, which includes its executive agencies and selected NDPBs, reduced reported emissions from energy use by over 10 per cent. in 2008-09 compared to the previous year and has already reduced emissions from road travel by 30 per cent. compared to the Sustainable Operations (SOGE) target to reduce by 15 per cent. by 2010-11 against 2005-06 levels. Given these recent successes, it is particularly challenging to reduce emissions by a further 10 per cent. in 2010 across such a diverse estate and range of organisations.
CLG’s ongoing research and analysis, which informs its wider Carbon Reduction Delivery Plan, indicates that a further 10 per cent. reduction should be possible across its headquarter estate in 2010. These reductions are expected to be delivered by continued estate rationalisation, upgrade of lighting, heat recovery projects and more efficient operation of plant and machinery. Specific research includes assessments of estate strategies, FM and engineering practices and asset replacement opportunities. These will then be prioritised based on payback and availability of resources.
In assessing its approach to short term targets such as 10:10, the Department remains mindful of its long term strategy for meeting its Carbon Budget allocations, necessary to deliver the 80 per cent. reduction by 2050, as required by the Climate Change Act 2008.