DECC signs up to 10:10 campaign

In a bid to encourage other government departments, public sector bodies and businesses to do likewise, the UK's Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has today formally signed up to the 10:10 campaign, pledging to try and cut its carbon emissions by 10 per cent during 2010.

"By signing up to the 10:10 campaign, DECC is cementing its leadership role in championing energy efficiency," said energy and climate change minister Joan Ruddock. "Saving energy not only makes sense for the climate, but it makes financial sense too."

DECC said that it had already internally committed itself to reducing emissions by 10 per cent during the financial year 2009-2010 and is in the process of boosting the energy-efficiency of its lighting, air conditioning and IT systems to this end.

For October, DECC received a "D" rating for its energy efficiency, which is in line with the national average, but has cut its use of gas by 90 per cent and its electricity consumption by 22 per cent in recent years.

The department is also attempting to encourage other public authorities to do more to reduce their carbon emissions.

It announced today that there is around £20 million of unspent funds still available in the government's Salix programme, which provides interest-free loans to public authorities to help them fund the introduction of energy-efficiency measures.

The scheme became operational in June this year and has already allocated £25.5m to more than 500 projects across the country. It is managed by Salix Finance, a not-for-profit, publicly-funded company, which was set up in 2004.

In addition, the department revealed it is about to launch a new Energy Award to reward those "Eco Schools" that have done most to both cut their own emissions and increase awareness of climate change issues among pupils.

Some 39 per cent of emissions produced by the education sector are generated by the consumption of energy in school buildings, and the government has long argued that schools provide an ideal forum in which to promote environmentally friendly behaviour change.