§ Mr. GreenTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he is taking to ensure that commercial operators in the Millennium Dome use non-HFC refrigerants; and if he will make a statement. [89934]
§ Janet AndersonNew Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) has recognised the unique opportunity afforded by the project to demonstrate that an undertaking of this scale can be developed within the framework of a positive environmental policy. In the context of a single year of operation and the attendant time and budgetary constraints, the Company's aim is to improve on prevailing standards wherever possible, and to mitigate any adverse impact where such impact might occur. As a result a number of innovative environmental initiatives are integral to the project—for example a comprehensive 671W Environmental Plan underpinning all aspects of policy and new river bank ecology; and the transformation of a derelict jetty into a wildlife haven.
As regards commercial operators in the Dome—who will primarily be caterers—NMEC is procuring the majority of the refrigeration equipment that they will use and is aiming to adopt "greenfreeze" technology wherever practical. In those instances where equipment is procured by others, NMEC is strongly encouraging them to adopt the same approach.