Prime minister, David Cameron, said today (July 6) carbon emissions from Government offices have been slashed by nearly 13.8% in just one year and told Whitehall it would have to go further by pledging to cutting emissions by 25% by 2015.

The Government estimates it has cut energy bills by £13million reducing the impact of around 300,000 civil servants in about 3,000 buildings and cut 100,000 tonnes of CO2.

Mr Cameron said: “A 13.8 per cent cut in emissions in just one year is a great result and the civil service should be very proud of this achievement.

“But to be the greenest government ever we need to do more to stamp out energy waste in Whitehall, and make it easier for people and business to use energy more efficiently.

“That’s why I’m committing the Government to go further by reducing emissions by 25 per cent by 2015.”

The Government also announced today a series of business-led trials aimed at making it easier for people to insulate their homes and reduce fuel bills.

The energy efficiency trials, many of which will include joint working with local authorities, will begin in September and will test how best to encourage people to take up the Green Deal.

The trials are outlined in a new report from the Government’s Behavioural Insights Team – known as the ‘nudge unit’ – and will be carried out and evaluated in time for the national roll out of the Green Deal.

Luke Walsh

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