Government estate emissions drop by 35 per cent over five years

Overall greenhouse gas emissions have been significantly reduced from government as a whole, resulting in a 35 per cent decrease since 2017 and a £122 million saving, according to the annual State of the Estate report.

The direct emissions from buildings decreased by 10 per cent compared to the 2017-18 baseline.

Cabinet office minister Alex Burghart praised the progress made towards making the public estate more efficient and sustainable, stating that “we are greening our estate more and have reduced carbon emissions by 35 per cent as we head towards net zero by 2050”.

The government has committed to halving carbon emissions from the public sector by 2032, with a 75 per cent reduction target by 2037.

The State of the Estate report says that the government achieved a reduction in emissions through a major efficiency drive, which included measures such as reducing energy consumption in government buildings, reducing water consumption, increasing recycling rates, and reducing paper consumption.

Additionally, the government has consolidated staff from multiple departments under one roof, promoting green travel and reducing emissions.

The report also highlighted the disposal of government property that is no longer needed, which has contributed to the reduction in emissions.