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Framework for Sustainable Development on the Government Estate

The first parts of the Framework for Sustainable Development on the Government Estate were published on 23 July 2002. This is the main vehicle for improving the performance of the Government Estate and will eventually cover all key environmental and social impacts of the running of departments. The Framework also contains guidance to support Departments in achieving targets.

Foreword by Michael Meacher, Former Environment Minister and Chair of ENV(G)
[At the time of the Framework publication, Michael Meacher was Environment Minister. However, during the reshuffle in June 2003, Elliot Morley was appointed the Environment Minister and Chair of ENV(G)]

All Government Departments have a significant contribution to make to sustainable development, not just through their policies and services, but through all the support activities that go on every day. Decisions about energy, water and waste management, and the goods and services Departments buy all say a great deal about the Government’s commitment to sustainable development.

This Framework sets out a new approach to managing and reporting the key sustainable development impacts of the operation of the Government Estate. It sets out a common agenda and priorities, agreed by all Departments.

The Framework builds on the progress made in the last Parliament and the lessons learned via the Greening Government Reports. The Estate is extremely large and diverse, with 19 central Departments all responsible for managing their own estates. If we are to improve the performance of Government as a whole, it vital that we get the basics of data collection, monitoring and reporting right across the entire Estate. That is why we have set a key target to establish environmental management systems across the Estate. Good quality performance reporting is also a powerful driver for performance improvement and improved public reporting is another central feature of the Framework.

Other features of the Framework include:

Publication of Departmental plans for delivering targets, as well as reporting on progress
Planned development of targets for all key environmental impacts
Extending the Framework to cover social impacts

Departments need to develop plans to target all their significant impacts, and allocate their resources accordingly. The Framework gives Departments the flexibility to determine their own timetables and mechanisms, within the context of agreed long term targets so that all Departments are moving in the right direction.

Targets for environmental management systems, travel and water are being announced today. The remaining Framework targets will be announced in stages over the next year. I am confident that this systematic approach will deliver real benefits in terms of more efficient management of the estate, better quality reporting and a better understanding of the contribution Government Departments make to sustainable development.

I look forward to working with all Green Ministers and their supporting officials to deliver the commitments in this Framework, which I am sure will benefit all Departments.

Michael Meacher

Further information
You can contact the Sustainable Development Unit by email at: sdudiv@defra.gsi.gov.uk.

Or write to us at: Sustainable Development in Government Team, Sustainable Development Unit, Area 4E, 9 Millbank, c/o 17 Smith Square, London SW1P 3JR (Telephone: 020 7238 5358).

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Report 2003

Updated: 07 March 2005