Department of Energy and Climate Change
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DECC signs up to 10:10 campaign
The Department of Energy and Climate Change has today reaffirmed its pledge to cut its own carbon emissions by signing up to the 10:10 campaign. The Department will now cut emissions by 10% in 2010 on top of an existing commitment to reduce emissions by 10% in the financial year 2009/10.
The Department of Energy and Climate Change has today reaffirmed
its pledge to cut its own carbon emissions by signing up to the
10:10 campaign. The Department will now cut emissions by 10% in
2010 on top of an existing commitment to reduce emissions by 10%
in the financial year 2009/10.
To achieve the 10:10
pledge, DECC is in the process of improving the energy efficiency
of its lighting, air conditioning and IT system. Longer term, the
Department is looking at generating its own low carbon electricity
and connecting to the Whitehall district heating scheme.
The Department’s London headquarters also published today its latest monthly energy efficiency rating for October which is a ‘D’. In the past year DECC has reduced its use of gas by 90% and its use of electricity by 22%.
Energy and Climate Change Minister Joan Ruddock said:
“By signing up to the 10:10 campaign, DECC is cementing its leadership role in championing energy efficiency. Saving energy not only makes sense for the climate, but it makes financial sense too.
“The 10:10 campaign is sending a message to governments around the world that the UK is serious about tackling climate change ahead of the crucial climate talks at Copenhagen.”
DECC is helping others play their part by reducing emissions:
For schools
- Today we have announced our partnership with
Keep Britain Tidy to make energy reduction a key aim of the ‘Eco
Schools’ campaign.
The campaign has been running since 1995
and is designed to increase awareness of climate change amongst
children and reduce emissions in schools. 39% of the emissions
produced by the education sector comes from the energy used in
school buildings. To celebrate the excellent work schools are
undertaking to reduce their energy consumption a new DECC Energy
Award is being introduced as part of the ‘Eco Schools’ campaign
For the whole public sector
- There has been a great response
so far to Government’s Salix programme which provides interest
free loans for public sector organisations. Following its launch
in June, £25.5m has been allocated for more than 500 projects
across the public sector which will not only cut emissions, but
reduce fuel bills too.
- There are still opportunities for organisations to make use of this funding. Around £20m is still available for schools, hospitals local authorities, fire stations and central government, to install energy efficiency measures.
Across Government, departments are already setting an example by acting to reduce emissions. Some of these include:
- Working on renewable deployment: The National Offender Management Service is working with Partnership for Renewables to install wind turbines on prison land which could generate enough energy to power the equivalent of 44,000 homes.
- Driving energy efficiency: The Department of Health has supported the NHS by providing funding for energy efficiency measures which will save approximately £16m revenue savings year on year for participating trusts which will contribute towards patient care.
- Better building and energy management: The Ministry of Justice has secured funding to improve boiler controls and building management systems, saving an estimated £100,000 per year on fuel bills.
- Changing our behaviour: Last winter, the Foreign Office turned down its thermostats by 2C, equating to an annual saving of £36,000 on fuel bills.
Notes to Editors
1. 10:10 is an independent campaign. Further details can be found at www.1010uk.org
2. Salix Finance is an independent, publicly funded company, set up in 2004 to accelerate public sector investment in energy efficiency technologies through 'invest to save' schemes. Salix has public funding from the Carbon Trust and is working across the public sector with local authorities, NHS foundation trusts, higher and further education institutions and central Government. It is a not for profit company limited by guarantee. You can find out more about the Salix scheme here http://www.salixfinance.co.uk/loans.html
3. More information on Eco-schools can be found at: http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/
4. The Department of Energy and Climate Change is central to the UK Government’s leadership on climate change. We are pushing hard for an ambitious global deal in Copenhagen in December to avert the most dangerous impacts. Through our UK Low Carbon Transition Plan we are giving householders and businesses the incentives and advice they need to cut their emissions, we are enabling the energy sector’s shift to the trinity of renewables, new nuclear and clean coal, and we are stepping up the fight against fuel poverty.
Contacts:
Department of Energy and Climate Change
nds.decc@coi.gsi.gov.uk
Philippa Heap
Phone: 0300 068 5218
philippa.heap@decc.gsi.gov.uk
