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Estates management

Part G of the Framework for Sustainable Development on the Government Estate (Framework), due to be published in 2003-04, will set out policy, practice and targets for the management of specific aspects of the Government Estate. This will include refurbishment/ construction and construction waste, air conditioning and other areas not covered by the rest of the Framework that are necessary for large-scale maintenance of the Estate.

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Construction

All Departments, when undertaking new or refurbishment construction projects should carry out environmental assessments using BREEAM (Building Research Establish Environmental Assessment Method), or equivalent. BREEAM is a widely used means of reviewing and improving the environmental performance of buildings. From March 2003, all Government new build projects should achieve excellent BREEAM ratings and all refurbishment projects very good ratings.

In July 2002, OGC, DfT, ODPM and Defra jointly published guidance on how to incorporate environmental considerations into Public Finance Initiative (PFI) or Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects.

In 2001-02, ten Departments carried out projects that were of sufficient size to warrant BREEAM accreditation. Nine of these Departments used BREEAM assessments.

In 2002-03, 14 Departments undertook new build or refurbishment construction projects that were of sufficient size to warrant a BREEAM assessment. Of these, 11 Departments confirmed that they had carried out an environmental assessment using BREEAM or an equivalent. Projects at Defra, DfID, HMT, HO and MoD were rated 'excellent'; C&E, DfT, IR, ODPM projects were rated 'very good'. LCD and DWP assessments were ongoing at the time of submitting data returns.

Three Departments (DfES, DTI and LoD) did not use BREEAM assessments, or equivalent. However, DfES considered sustainability issues as part of the overall process, and incorporated particular requirements in project specification and procurement. DTI has procedures set out in an environmental management system (EMS), which it applies. LoD projects were not of sufficient size to warrant a BREEAM assessment.

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Air conditioning systems

Government has a preference for naturally cooled buildings. In 2001-02, five Departments reported that new systems, where installed, were free of gaseous and non-gaseous substances such as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) that contribute to climate change. Six Departments found it necessary to use HFCs in a minority of buildings.

In 2002-03, 15 Departments confirmed that they had installed new air conditioning systems or refurbished existing systems. Of these, eight Departments were able to confirm that such systems were free of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and HFCs. One Department (HO) stated that some projects had used systems completely free of HCFCs and HFCs, but that it had not been possible in all cases on grounds of cost effectiveness or technical feasibility.

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Refurbishment - HMT

HMT completed the refurbishment of its headquarters in Whitehall in Summer 2002. The new building, managed under a 35-year PFI contract, has been refurbished fully in line with the Greening Government recommendations, greatly improving its environmental condition. Around 60 per cent of the building is now naturally ventilated; upgrading of the window glazing has increased natural light by some 30 per cent, improved natural ventilation and reduced maintenance costs. The new lighting system incorporates automatic controls which reduce energy usage by daylight and 'presence' detection, ensuring lights are switched on only when required. All existing doors were refurbished and re-used together with 90 per cent of window frames and 70 per cent of floor timber; the balance of timber required came from certified, renewable sources. The combination of these features led to the award of an "Excellent" BREEAM rating, with a score of 71 per cent, a considerable achievement for a historical Grade II* listed building.

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Departmental Data

For more detail on the how specific Departments within the UK Government are achieveing these targets, please access our Search Departmental Data section.

Report 2003

Updated: 07 March 2005