Sep 9 2009
Public sector bodies are setting increasingly ambitious targets for carbon reduction, doubling their commitments over the last four years, the Carbon Trust reported today.
In 2008/09, organisations participating in the Carbon Trust’s annual Public Sector Carbon Management Programme committed to reduce their carbon emissions by an average of 25% over a five year period.
Some organisations are aiming even higher; Cranfield University is one of those leading the field with a commitment to halve its carbon emissions in only five years. Four years ago the average commitment of participants was a 12% reduction. The Carbon Trust has seen it rise every year since then.
The Carbon Trust’s Public Sector Carbon Management Programme guides organisations through a peer-supported process of building a team, measuring the carbon footprint, defining carbon reduction targets and projects, and compiling a compelling case for action.
Projects implemented as a direct result of the Public Sector Carbon Management Programme since it was established are already saving over 500,000 tonnes of CO2 per year and generating annual savings of £36m on energy bills.
In 2008/09, 109 organisations participated in the programme – including 71 local authorities, 17 universities, 19 NHS Trusts as well as central government estate. As a result, they developed new plans that will cut their collective carbon emissions by a further 500,000 tonnes a year and save over £90 million per year on their energy bills.
Minister for Energy and Climate Change David Kidney said;
“We are thrilled to see public sector bodies committing to such ambitious carbon reduction targets. As well as reducing emissions they are also making significant savings on their energy bills thanks to the work done by the Carbon Trust.
“These businesses provide an excellent example of the local action we need to encourage in order to meet the challenge of climate change and ensure a low carbon future for everyone”.
Richard Rugg, Head of Public Sector at the Carbon Trust, said:
“Organisations that participate in our Carbon Management Programme learn from the experiences and achievements of others in the public sector who have already embarked on the carbon reduction journey. This gives them the confidence, knowledge and inspiration to set themselves increasingly stretching targets.”
Looking ahead, Rugg predicts increasing collaboration between public sector bodies on carbon reduction in local areas, a trend driven by National Indicator NI186 which puts the onus on local authorities to reduce emissions within their area.
To meet this need, the Carbon Trust is set to launch a new bespoke service called Carbon Management Leadership which will help local authorities engage local public sector and business stakeholders in area wide carbon reduction.
An example of a successful collaborative pilot project is a Carbon Trust–supported working group in Bristol that includes Bristol City Council, local universities and NHS Trusts. Among the initiatives it has developed is a programme to calculate Bristol’s ICT carbon footprint and develop a database of solutions to help organisations bring down their ICT emissions.
Key Facts
The Carbon Trust’s Public Sector Carbon Management Programme began in 2003/04. Since then 436 public sector organisations have participated in the programme including over half the UK’s local authorities (236), 82 universities, 82 hospitals and NHS Trusts, and nine central government departments and executive agencies.
Since being established in 2001, the Carbon Trust has delivered advice and guidance to over 2,500 public sector bodies, has helped them reduce their carbon emissions by almost 3 million tonnes per year and has saved them £94m a year on their energy bills.