MOD's sustainable development work praised
13 Jan 10
Two reports published recently by organisations outside the MOD have praised the Department's sustainable development (SD) work which is part-led by Defence Estates (DE).
New accommodation at Megiddo Barracks, Catterick, that was built using sustainable development principles
[Picture: MOD/Crown Copyright 2009]
The Sustainable Development Commission (SDC) published a report on 24 December 2009 on the Government's Sustainable Development performance.
The SDC is the Government's independent watchdog on SD which publishes an annual report on Departmental progress towards the Sustainable Operations on the Government Estate (SOGE) targets.
The report states that 2008/09 is the first time that the "big four" Government Departments (MOD, Ministry of Justice, Department of Work and Pensions and HM Revenue and Customs which together represent 80% of Government in terms of size) have all achieved four out of five stars for the primary SOGE targets.
However, the report notes that the MOD is the only Department to have already achieved the 2010/11 target to reduce carbon emissions from its estate by 12.5% relative to 1999/2000 levels.
The report also states that the MOD has contributed 91% of the entire pan-Government reduction in carbon emissions from offices with the remaining 9% achieved by smaller government departments.
"Both of these external reports confirm that we are making positive progress on the estate against ever more demanding sustainability targets."
Richard McKinney, DE Head of Property
DE and MOD's performance was also scrutinised in an independent assurance of the MOD's Sustainable Development Report 2009. This was carried out by Grontmij Ltd and Two Tomorrows (Europe) Limited in order to confirm the accuracy and reliability of data and to confirm that it provided an unbiased picture of performance on the material issues.
As well as doing this, the independent assurers also found that SD principles are becoming increasingly embedded throughout the MOD, particularly with regard to estate management.
The assurance report states: "We found evidence of strong engagement within those parts of the MOD with responsibility for key impact areas, such as Estate Management and a good level of awareness and engagement among senior management and commanding officers."
Richard McKinney, DE Head of Property said:
"Both of these external reports confirm that we are making positive progress on the estate against ever more demanding sustainability targets. The comments on energy performance are particularly welcome as there are many individuals and teams across DE who are working hard to drive down energy consumption on the estate."