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Freedom of Information Act 2000, request no. F2007/007

Date of release: 08 March 2007

Carbon footprint of Department

1. What has been the total carbon footprint of your Government Department (and its predecessor Departments) in each year since 1997?

2. What were the causes (listed in order of the greatest contributors with their percentage and total amount) of the carbon footprint of your Government Department (and its predecessor Departments) in each year since 1997?

Figures on emissions for buildings in the UK for 1999 to 2006 and for air transport for 2004/05 and 2005/06 are shown below. We do not hold figures in respect of air travel in the earlier years. The cost of obtaining information for overseas offices would be in excess of the limit of £600 set under the FOI Act.

Year

Estimated Carbon Emissions (tons)

 

Air travel

% of total

Buildings

% of total

1999-2000

Not known

 

686.18

Not Known

2000-2001

N/K

 

728.76

N/K

2001-2002

N/K

 

756.81

N/K

2002-2003

N/K

  

771.17

N/K

2003-2004

N/K

  

1,011.15

N/K

2004-2005

1,792

63.13

1,046.42

36.87

2005-2006

1,755

61.17

1,114.13

38.83

 

3. What has been the total amount of carbon dioxide emissions resulting from road transport in your Government Department (and its predecessor Departments) in each year since 1997?

4. What is the total number of vehicles used by your Government Department (and its predecessor Departments) in each year since 1997 that are (a) hybrid engine powered; and (b) hydrogen engine powered?

DFID does not own any motor vehicles in the UK and we have insufficient information to calculate the effect of taxi and hired car journeys. Our overseas offices own various types of vehicles, but we do not have enough information held centrally to supply the information requested without exceeding the cost limits laid down under the FOI Act 2000.

In general, DFID follows and seeks to exceed the stretching cross-Government targets decided by the Sustainable Operations Board. DEFRA provides the secretariat to this Board which was launched by the Prime Minister and the Rt. Hon. David Miliband MP (Secretary of State for DEFRA) in June 2006. The targets focus on areas such as carbon emissions, energy efficiency and carbon neutrality and require central Govt departments to:

  • Reverse the current upward trend in carbon emissions by April 2007;
  • Reduce carbon emissions by 12.5% by 2010-11, relative to 1999/2000 levels;
  • Have a carbon neutral office estate by 2012;
  • Increase their energy efficiency per m² by 15% by 2010, relative to 1999/2000 levels;
  • Increase their energy efficiency per m² by 30% by 2020, relative to 1999/2000 levels.

During the refurbishment of both DFID’s UK buildings, we incorporated many energy saving mechanisms and have established Environment Management Systems in both offices. We have 100% green electricity at both UK offices and we are also currently working with the Carbon Trust to evaluate various options for renewable energy such as Combined Heat and Power (CHP) units.

To reduce emissions from air travel we have significantly increased our video-conferencing facilities and actively encourage staff to use them. In addition, DFID will be contributing to the Government carbon offsetting fund, which will offset emissions from air travel.

The external websiteSustainability Commission’s website provides information about government departments’ performance against various targets for sustainability.


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