MPs on the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee have launched a new inquiry into the Greening Government Commitments (GGCs) – the targets for reducing the negative effects that the Government’s buildings, transport, purchasing and operations have on the environment.
The current GGCs set out targets for UK government departments and agencies to:
- Reduce their greenhouse gas emissions;
- Send less waste to landfill and reduce the waste they produce; and
- Reduce water consumption
They also set out commitments for departments to:
- Improve sustainable procurement; and
- Report on key sustainability issues.
The inquiry will examine the Government’s performance against the existing GGCs, and how well they are aligned with other government commitments, such as the Road to Zero and the Clean Growth Strategy. It will also recommend priorities for the next set of GGCs, particularly in light of the Committee on Climate Change’s May 2019 net-zero report.
Government is currently operating under the GGCs for 2016-2020, which superseded those for 2011-15, and is also currently developing its next set, which are due later this year.
Chair of the Environmental Audit Committee, Mary Creagh MP, said:
“The Government is the largest purchaser of goods and services in the country, responsible for 14% of UK GDP.
“The Greening Government Commitments are a sign of the UK Government’s ambitions to deliver environmental improvements. While the last report showed progress on greenhouse gas emissions, water consumption is up, and some targets may only have been met through a reduction in the size of its estate – a one-off solution that can’t be repeated. Future targets will be more difficult to meet and will need stringent action and scrutiny if they are to be achieved.
“Government must lead by example if the UK is to be considered to show leadership on tackling climate change. Our previous audits have identified much room for improvement - we will be assessing government performance against the current GGCs, questioning whether it is following its own advice and identifying new priorities. We hope to report by the autumn.”
The inquiry forms part of the Committee’s programme of work on “How Green is the Government?” following its inquiries on the Sustainability of the DfT and the Sustainability of the MoJ.
Terms of reference
The Committee is now inviting written evidence submissions to inform its inquiry. Submissions should focus on some or all of the following:
Performance against the existing GGCs
- To what extent is government achieving its GGCs?
- To what extent are departments modifying their approach to ensure their commitments are met?
- What are the strengths and weaknesses of the existing GGC framework?
- What actions are currently taken if a target is missed?
- Is government following its own advice?
- How are targets for the GGCs set?
- To what extent are GGCs aligned with other government commitments, in particular compliance with the 2008 Climate Change Act’s 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050?
- To what extent are government fleets moving in the right direction to meet the Road to Zero commitments?
- To what extent are departments and agencies reducing emissions from heating their buildings in accordance with the Clean Growth Strategy?
- To what extent are targets being met through gross reductions in size of departments and agencies versus efficiency and performance?
- Are the GGCs ambitious enough?
- Is government meeting its Waste and Resources Strategy commitment to “lead by example” through the GGCs?
Priorities for the new GGCs
- What must be done to achieve a net zero government by 2050?
- What should government consider to be the priorities for the new GGCs?
- What specific targets should Government look to achieve?
- What should government do to ensure the new GGCs are ambitious, effective and data-led?
- How should targets set be monitored and enforced?
- How should government ensure that the advice from the Climate Change Committee’s May 2019 Net-zero report is included in the new GGCs?
Responses should be submitted via the Committee website by 5pm on Wednesday 22 May.
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