NOTES
TO EDITORS
In 1990, the Government announced an energy
efficiency target for the Government estate of 15 per cent savings
in energy consumption in the five years to 31 March 1996. In December
1996 the target was extended to 20 per cent by 31 March 2000,
measured from the same, 1990-91, baseline.
The target is based on energy expenditure using
constant prices and taking account of weather variations and changes
in the estate. Progress of the initiative is shown in the last
six columns of table 1 to the Parliamentary answer, and it is
shown as "Total cost" in other tables.
Additional indicators provide more information
on carbon dioxide emissions and changes to fossil fuel and electricity
consumption, as well as expenditure on energy and energy efficiency.
The results for the former Department of the
Environment for 1996-97 were affected by the process of relocation
of several Government Offices and of its headquarters buildings
and the consequent need to bear overlapping energy costs at some
of them (such as at Marsham Street and Eland House: partially
occupied from December 1996 but not fully occupied by 31 March
1997). A further headquarters building, Ashdown House, was undergoing
refurbishment during the reporting period. Relocation from Marsham
Street and Romney House is now almost complete, and the Department
will have finally left these buildings by 31 March 1998. Whilst
the overall amount of occupied space fell by nearly 11 per cent
during 1996-97 as a result of the accommodation changes the proportion
of the former Department of the Environment's estate which is
air-conditioned increased by about 9 per cent. However, the new
headquarters buildings in particular also include energy efficient
displacement ventilation and static cooling and heating systems.
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