Greening Government

Government is committed to leading by example in the way we manage our operations and procurement; driving efficiency and value for money, while reducing our impact on the environment. The commitments for greening Government operations and procurement set out how we’re reducing our waste and water use, and procuring more sustainably.

The Action Plan for driving sustainable operations and procurement across government (pdf, 349KB, November 2010) set out how we aim to support our vision through a step change in leadership, efficiency, transparency and accountability that will underpin the reform of Government’s operations and procurement. The commitments for greening Government operations and procurement will provide a focus for action on these principles.

Leading by example

Government needs to show leadership on the environment to the wider public sector, businesses and citizens. This means setting and meeting ambitious goals – but it also means sharing Government practice with the world; passing on our accounts of the innovative approaches being taken and tested. We will also communicate the results (even where we haven’t been successful) so that others can learn from our experiences.

Efficiency and reform

We need to drive efficiency and reform in central Government – this means reducing demand and tackling waste wherever it exists. This is about getting better value for money and ensuring that we can capitalise on the opportunities to make financial and environmental resource savings. We must reform our relationship with our key suppliers to ensure we are working in partnership to help deliver on the commitment to be the greenest Government ever.

Transparency and accountability

We are committed to being open and transparent with more of our performance data in line with the new Public Services Transparency Framework. In addition to reporting data on our direct impacts we will look to provide more transparency on Government’s supply chain.

As demonstration of our commitment to transparency, and in preparation for an evidence base for carbon emissions in the supply chain, Defra has published a high level-carbon footprint for central Government, as well as footprints for 8 central Government Departments.