Subscribe
Practice what you Preach
May 19th, 2009 by Barry PotierOne in three government buildings has the lowest possible rating for energy efficiency according to official figures seen by the Guardian, which show the Department for Energy and Climate Change is one of the worst offenders.
The DECC, which is responsible for promoting energy efficiency in the country and is housed in Whitehall Place in London, scored a G, the lowest on a seven-point energy performance scale for its buildings. The Home Office, which moved into a new office building only a few years ago and the Department of Health were also given the bottom rating, while, on average, government buildings scored an F.
The ratings for 267 government buildings come from the government’s own energy efficiency assessments and were published in response to parliamentary questions from Greg Clark, Miliband’s Tory shadow.
Overall, 98 buildings were rated G and a further 34 scored F. In total, more than 70% were rated E or below, which means that they are less energy-efficient than normal buildings of their type. None scored A.
A spokesman for the DECC pointed out that it had only moved into its building in Whitehall Place in October, but was determined to make it more energy-efficient: “This is not easy as our new home is a Grade II-listed heritage building and more than 100 years old – making it difficult to match the energy-efficiency standards of new buildings.”
Apparently the DECC is looking into ways to improve the situation such as introducing additional motion and daylight sensors, upgrading downlighters and fluorescent tubes and upgrading the fans system and boiler sequencing system. And not before time. How can the government expect the rest of us to think green when they don’t practice what they preach?
Tags: DECC, energy efficiency, Greg Clark, Whitehall Place