08 Jul 2011 08:07:04

Whitehall surpasses 10% CO2 reduction target

Whitehall has surpassed its target of slashing its CO₂ emissions by ten percent in one year, achieving a cut of almost 14 percent.

Prime minister David Cameron said central government emissions have fallen by 13.8 percent in the past year, reducing energy bills by an estimated £13 million.

Topping the table was the Department for Education, which achieved a 21.5 percent cut, while the Department of Energy and Climate Change was slightly behind with a 21.3 percent reduction.

Energy and climate change secretary Chirs Huhne said: "This achievement has shown that we’re serious about leading by example and, when we promise to cut carbon, we mean it."

According to the government, over 100,000 tonnes of CO₂ was saved between May 14th 2010 and May 13th 2011.

The 300,000 civil servants in 3,000 buildings involved in the scheme have now been set a new target of reducing emissions by 25 percent by 2025. Business-related transport is included in the extended scope of the new target.

Government targets are for the UK to achieve an overall cut in CO₂ emissions of at least 34 percent by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050.