§ Mr. Roger WilliamsTo ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what targets the Department has for improving energy efficiency; and how he intends to achieve these targets. [116653]
§ Hilary BennAll Departments currently have an interim target of 1 per cent. per annum a reductions in (weather-corrected) CO2 emissions from their estate, relative to the base-year 1999–2000. DEFRA will agree new targets for 2010, based on benchmarking the performance of individual buildings where possible, by the end of the year. In the meantime, we are monitoring consumption figures on a regular basis and compiling the necessary baseline data in order to carry out an Energy Performance Benchmarking exercise in accordance with DETR guidelines.
The refurbishment of our main London building, which took place in 2001, and the works currently under way at our East Kilbride office, include a wide range of energy efficiency measures. The design for the latest works on our East Kilbride building have received an "excellent" rating under the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology (BREEAM) rating system. We have also commenced testing to establish the feasibility of installing a wind turbine.
Energy Efficiency is now a significant feature of the new contracts with our two respective specialist building maintenance contractors, with regular meetings being held to consider, inter alia, implementation of additional savings measures.