Government measures up to Whitehall waste

Meters have been placed in all 18 Whitehall departments with real time online usage displays, as part of a central government pledge to cut emissions by ten per cent over the coming year.

Energy and climate change minister and chairman of the 10% government working group, Greg Barker, said: “For too long Whitehall has been guilty of preaching and not acting on efficiency.

“Slashing energy waste in government needs to happen fast, as much for tackling the public finances as for climate change.

“Shining a spotlight on what’s being used in real time will help staff change their behaviour and the public hold us to account. We said we’d be the greenest government ever and we mean it.”

The introduction of the real time energy displays is part of efforts across Whitehall to reduce carbon emissions, the government says. The meters will be used to help identify areas to cut energy use.

Cabinet office minister and lead member for the government’s transparency agenda, Francis Maude, said: “The publication of the real time energy figures today is yet another demonstration of our commitment to transparency as a government.

“As with other transparency initiatives we urge the public to really hold our feet to the fire and make sure that we drive down our energy use as much as possible.”

Other measures to save energy also include cutting the use of cooling systems, turning off IT equipment when unused.

The government last month announced a new Energy Efficiency Code under which departments and facilities management contractors will work together to cut carbon emissions develop energy efficient initiatives.

To view the real time energy displays click here.

David Gibbs