§ Mr. Laurence RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much(a) electricity and (b) other energy his Department has used in each year since 1997 (i) in total and (ii) per square metre; what the projected use is for each of the following years for which forecasts are made; what plans he has to reduce usage; and if he will make a statement.[135060]
§ Mr. PondI refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Mr. Ben Bradshaw on 3 November 2003,Official Report Vol 412, Cols. 404w-408w. The Department for Work and Pensions supports and actively contributes to the UK Strategy For Sustainable Development and the Framework for Sustainable Development on the Government Estate.
A key element to the Department's overall strategy for Sustainable Development is effective energy management. A cross-Government target is being developed to achieve an ongoing reduction in carbon equivalent emissions from buildings against 1999–2000 levels, and DWP will contribute to this. This will be 1342W achieved by continuing to improve energy efficiency throughout the estate and by implementingspend to save investment schemes where viable. An ongoing strategy to raise staff awareness will also continue aimed at promoting good housekeeping and eliminating the wasteful use of energy in the workplace.
Energy performance is monitored against the Government's 'good practice' benchmarks and remedial action taken in buildings where excessive energy use is identified.