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Sustainable Development in Government 2008
1 May 2009
Sustainable Development in Government (SDiG) 2008: Challenges for Government finds that Government departments have made significant steps towards reducing waste, water consumption and emissions from road travel. However they are still not on course to meet their own target for reducing carbon emissions by 12.5% and far more remains to be done if they are to make a real contribution towards meeting UK-wide targets for 80% emissions reductions by 2050.
This report highlights issues with both the data and the barriers to further progress against sustainable operations and procurement goals. It finds that there is an urgent need for a greater understanding of the full range of environmental, social and economic impacts of Government operations. For example, while departments currently measure carbon emissions from offices and road vehicles, the full carbon impact of operations and procurement, including its supply chain, has not been quantified. Similarly, the water footprint of the central Government estate is largely unknown. And although road travel has been reduced, this has not been linked to a general shift toward more sustainable travel – such as rail instead of air travel – or reducing the need to travel through better use of video conferencing. Progress on energy sourced from renewables as well as recycling and waste has even gone backwards, according to the latest data.
Government has made real progress in meeting its own sustainability goals, but there is still a long way to go. The Sustainable Development Commission looks forward to continuing its work with the Government to ensure that Departments play their part in the transition to a sustainable society.
» Download Sustainable Development in Government 2008: Challenges for Government
