Wednesday 11 August 2010

Government makes energy use transparent

Energy meters in all 18 government headquarters can now be tracked by the public online in real time.

The real time display innovation has been fast tracked in just three months since David Cameron announced central government would cut emissions by 10% over the next year.

Going public about how much energy is being wasted is the first step to changing staff behaviour across the government estate.

Energy and Climate Change minister Greg Barker, who chairs the 10% government working group, said: "For too long Whitehall has been guilty of preaching and not acting on efficiency.Slashing energy waste in government needs to happen fast, as much for tackling the public finances as for climate change.Shining a spotlight on what's being used in real time will help staff change their behaviour and the public hold us to account.We said we'd be the greenest government ever and we mean it."

Minister for the Cabinet Office Francis Maude, who leads on the government's transparency agenda, said: "The publication of the real time energy figures today is yet another demonstration of our commitment to transparency as a Government. As with other transparency initiatives we urge the public to really hold our feet to the fire and make sure that we drive down our energy use as much as possible."