The Scottish Government has published a new Carbon Management Plan that outlines its commitment to go green.

Developed in conjunction with The Carbon Trust, the plan sets out a number of actions aimed at reducing the Government”s carbon footprint.

The plan was released on the same day as the Scottish Government’s Environmental Annual Report for 2007-08, which showed a reduction in waste produced by the Scottish Government, high levels of recycling and an increase in video conferencing. It also showed a 6 per cent increase in business travel emissions.

“This Government is determined to play a leading role in global efforts to reduce emissions,” said Stewart Stevenson, Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change. “As part of our drive to create a Greener Scotland, we must lead by example and put our own house in order. That is why we are putting in place this Carbon Management Programme which includes specific measures to help cut our emissions.”

Stevenson continued, “Leading by example extends to the whole of the public sector — collectively we can make a big difference. In practice, this means scrutinising our own performance and adapting our work processes wherever we can to deliver essential carbon savings. The Carbon Management Programme will ensure the Scottish Government and other public bodies are moving in the same direction — towards a sustainable future for Scotland.”

Permanent Secretary Sir John Elvidge added, “Our Carbon Management Plan can make a major contribution to improving our environmental performance. While we have undertaken a range of work to drive down our carbon footprint — with initiatives on travel, waste and energy — this Plan gives us the scope to accelerate our progress towards a Greener Government.”

The Scottish Government Environmental Performance Annual Report outlines the progress the Scottish Government made towards delivering on its targets to provide a sustainably managed estate. The report covers the 14 main buildings in the Scottish Government’s estate which, during 2007-2008, represented 90 per cent of the estate’s total floor area and provided accommodation for 96 per cent of core Scottish Government staff.

The report found the Government had:

• Produced 17 per cent less waste than in the previous year;
• Recycled 76 per cent of waste;
• Increased the use of video conferencing by 29 per cent;
• Increased CO2 emissions from energy use in buildings by 2.5 per cent; and
• Increased business travel-related emissions by 6 per cent.

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