Committee’s sustainability strategy published in Annual Report & Accounts 2009-2010

Committee’s sustainability strategy published in Annual Report & Accounts 2009-2010 - 15 July 2010

The Committee on Climate Change (CCC) today published its Annual Report & Accounts for 2009-10. These were formally laid before Parliament this morning, and were given an unqualified opinion by the National Audit Office.

Included in the report is a new sustainability strategy for the organisation, and results from monitoring of emissions over the past year.

From 1 May 2009 to 30 April 2010, the CCC emitted 54.2 tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e)*. Of this, 19% came from business travel, 24% from gas used for heating the office, 30% on electricity for air-conditioning, and 27% for electricity for appliances. The Committee is working with the Carbon Trust in order to reduce business emissions further.

The Committee’s office has been equipped with energy efficient appliances, recycling units, electricity trackers, and all lights are fitted with sensors. The office space has been assessed and received an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of ‘E’.

To reduce transport emissions, staff travel by economy-class rail where possible and avoid domestic flights. The Committee will ensure that sustainability concerns are considered as part of all procurement decisions and is reducing the amount of waste produced, increasing the amount recycled to 3.5 tonnes in 2009-10.

As part of the organisation’s commitment to sustainability, secretariat staff spent a day this year planting trees in Hainault, East London. All the Committee’s reports are printed on 100% recycled, FSC certified paper.

In terms of the Committee’s progress in providing independent and expert advice on climate change mitigation and adaptation, key highlights from the year included:

•   Publication of the Committee’s first Progress Report to Parliament in October 2009 – this called for a ‘step change’ in the pace and approach taken to emission reductions.

•   The Adaptation Sub-Committee was set up during the year. Chaired by Lord John Krebs, the ASC provides independent advice to government on preparing for the impacts of climate change (adaptation). It is currently preparing its first report which will be published on 15 September, 2010.

•   The Committee set out the options available for the UK to reduce emissions from aviation by 2050, in line with wider climate change goals.

•   The Committee published advice to the Scottish Government on their climate change targets and the inclusion of aviation and shipping in their Act.

Chief Executive of the Committee on Climate Change, David Kennedy said:

“We have produced a number of significant reports this year and I am pleased to see the positive reaction we are getting to these from Government, businesses and individuals that are interested in tackling climate change.

On the corporate side, we have made the transition from a start-up to a more business-as-usual mode of operation. I am delighted that we received fully unqualified accounts and have put in place a credible monitoring framework and sustainability strategy, in order to help us to reduce our business emissions”.

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Read the report