Energy Saving News
Public Sector A Bad Student In Climate Change Class
The UK's public sector buildings are emitting 27% more CO2 than previously estimated, which is costing the country a staggering £4 billion per annum in energy bills.
The situation calls for the initiation of a major refurbishment program, as the UK has targeted a 30% reduction in carbon emissions from '99 levels by 2020.
The Energy Saving Association (ESA) is well aware of this problem and Council Member, Ken Cheyne, is a firm believer that saving energy is the essential element needed for real changes to be made.
"The public sector, not just in the UK but worldwide, emits enormous amounts of greenhouse gases leading to threatening global temperature rises. Saving energy in that sector, by switching to energy efficiency, is the only way to be proactive about this and ensure real results in reducing atmospheric pollution from public buildings.", Mr. Cheyne explained.
Among the top polluting sectors are the medical and prison industries.
Since October 2008, public authorities have been obliged by law to display a certificate relating to the level of CO2 emissions they produce. These levels are ranked in color-coded bands, ranging from 'A' to 'G', with 'G' being the worst.
Some 5,000 other organisations found themselves in the lowest bracket, while only 151 buildings were in the highest.
UK public sector buildings urgently need to invest in energy efficiency, in order to reach the country's emission reduction targets on time.
The initial cost of implementing energy saving installations would be quickly turned into profit, as the on-going savings made on energy bills would create a return of investment within a few months.
In becoming energy efficient, UK public sector buildings can expect to drastically reduce their impact on the environment, which is central to succeeding in reaching the 30% reduction target the government has put in place.
Hospitals, prisons, and all other public buildings are responsible for a third of total emissions. Therefore, reducing their carbon output through energy saving equipment would have a widely positive outcome in substantially reducing pollution levels.
Tuesday 5th January 2010
