PM aims for carbon neutral office design by 2012

Office design news from Morgan Lovell

Published on 13-06-2006

The government has decided to set the standard for businesses with environmentally friendly office design by setting the target of carbon neutral ity for its own offices by 2012.

To meet carbon neutral ity, the government will use a combination of reducing carbon emissions, using renewable energy and offsetting the remaining balance of emissions to reach the carbon neutral status.

Tony Blair said: "The government spends £150 billion a year on goods and services.

"Changing the way we spend this money, so it helps prevent climate change and protects our environment, could have a huge impact."

The prime minister added: "We are taking another important step today when it comes to greening government, by committing to make by 2012 the Government office estate carbon neutral and committing to reduce Government's total emissions from buildings by 30 per cent."

It is hoped that savings of 800,000 tonnes of carbon – the equivalent of taking 750,000 cars off the roads – will be achieved.

The recommendations come after a report from the Sustainable Procurement Task Force.

Mr Blair added: "This report points the way forward, and we will look seriously at its recommendations."

Further targets set for 2020 include to recycle 75 per cent of waste, reduce the waste generated by 25 per cent, reduce water consumption by 25 per cent and increase energy efficiency by 30 per cent per square metre.