Government building estate will go carbon neutral by 2012 as Labour pledges to cut carbon emissions 30% by 2020.

The government has announced that its building estate will go carbon neutral by 2012.

The government will aim to reduce carbon emissions from the office-based estate by 30% by 2020.

Environment secretary David Miliband announces today that new sustainability targets will cover all central Government departments and agencies across the UK.

Sustainability targets for the government estate include:

  • Recycling of 75% of waste by 2020
  • 25% reduction in amount of waste generated by 2020
  • 25% reduction in water consumption by 2020
  • Increase energy efficiency by 30% per square metre by 2020.
Miliband said the new targets would "put the UK on a more sustainable path." He was responding to the Sustainable Procurement Task Force report published today which lays out the targets.

Cabinet secretary Gus O'Donnell will be responsible for ensuring that every government department responds to the report recommendations.

Defra will respond in fall to the report by the end of the year.

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