§ Mr. BreedTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to promote the delivery of sustainable development within Government. [171804]
§ Mr. CaplinThe Ministry of Defence fully supports the Sustainable Development in Government Initiative. We have been working actively with the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in the development of targets in respect of the Framework for Sustainable Development on the Government Estate.
For each of the Framework targets published to date (environmental management systems, travel, water, biodiversity and energy), the Department has published a statement within the timeframe required, outlining the steps it will take to address the targets.
The MOD contributes data to the annual Government Report on Sustainable Development report produced by DEFRA. Details of the Department's progress are available in the 2nd Annual Report (2003). The MOD will be producing an annual sustainable development report in November 2004.
We are also engaged in the current review of the UK Sustainable Development Strategy.
In addition MOD is working on its own Sustainable Development Strategy.
§ Mr. BreedTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made with his Department's Sustainable Development Strategy. [171805]
§ Mr. CaplinThe Ministry of Defence has been developing its own Sustainable Development Strategy (which will support its activities) based on the Government's existing strategy. We intend to publish a summary version in the near future.
559WIn addition to its own Strategy, MOD contributes to the wider framework for sustainable development on the Government estate led by the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. MOD has published a statement for each of the framework targets published to date (environmental management system, travel, water, biodiversity and energy) outlining the steps it will take them to address them.