Oaten Supports Campaign To Cut Public Sector Carbon Emissions

OATEN SUPPORTS CAMPAIGN TO REDUCE PUBLIC SECTOR CARBON EMISSIONS

A broad coalition of organisations has welcomed local MP Mark Oaten’s support for a campaign to reduce carbon emissions from the public sector.

The MP for Winchester has signed a House of Commons Early Day Motion (EDM 1554) which calls on the Government to take the lead in tackling climate change by reducing carbon emissions in its own buildings.

According to the latest National Audit Office report, Government departments are not on track to meet their own sustainability targets – and 15 departments have increased their carbon emissions since 1999. 

The Motion calls on the Government to renew their commitment to buy, lease or procure buildings only in the top quartile of energy performance.

It is hoped that by setting high standards of energy efficiency the Government will not only reduce its own emissions but also drive up standards in the whole commercial sector. Aviation aside, this sector has the fastest growing energy use, making it a particularly pressing issue.

Mark Oaten MP said:

“At a time when the government are claiming to take the lead on climate change, it is unacceptable that emissions from their own departments continue to rise.

“They must tackle this urgently.

 Martin Tod, Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Winchester, added:

“We can all save a huge amount of carbon by making our buildings more energy efficient. The Government has talked a lot about climate change – now it’s time for them to take a lead in setting the highest standards and cutting their own carbon use.”

Andrew Warren, the Chair of the Sustainable Energy Partnership said:

“Mark Oaten is to be congratulated for supporting this initiative. The

Government is a key player in the commercial property market and this initiative will drive up energy efficiency standards in all buildings.”