MPs may face frequent criticism for not being green enough, but at least their place of work could soon boast some solid environmental credentials after it emerged plans are being considered to slash the Houses of Parliament's carbon footprint by almost a third.
According to reports in today's Guardian, MPs and peers are currently considering a number of high-tech measures to cut the environmental footprint of the Palace of Westminster, including the installation of tidal power turbines in the Thames and a 35m-high wind turbine on the neighbouring Victoria Gardens.
The proposals from green consultancy BDP Sustainability were obtained under a Freedom of Information Act request and will be considered early next year by the House of Commons administration committee.
The £20m project would include a wide range of measures designed to slash the energy use of the building, which currently consumes enough electricity to power 6,500 households a year.
As well as the high-profile plans for wind turbines and tidal power, the project would also see the building's drafty windows replaced with double glazing, a borehole sunk to deliver clean drinking water and highly efficient combined heat and power (CHP) boilers installed.
However, the plans are likely to face a number of planning hurdles before they are approved, with concerns already being raised about the visual impact of installing a 35m high wind turbine so close to the World Heritage-listed building.
Critics claim they are just a green gimmick, but evidence is mounting that wind turbines in urban locations should not be discounted 12 Nov 2007
Wind, biomass and microgeneration to be big winners as government details wide-ranging investment and incentive package designed to meet EU renewables targets 23 Jun 2008
Public and private initiatives fund development of carbon-neutral construction materials, renewable energy telemetry and more 15 Aug 2008
Government-backed body claims only a "handful" of recent building projects truly embrace sustainable design principles 02 Jun 2008
The entire US financial system may be on the ropes, but according to Richard Seireeni, the recently formed "Salmon Nation" financial network is doing just fine 09 Oct 2008
BusinessGreen.com casts its eye over the simplest means of harnessing some geothermal power 08 Oct 2008






