Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, which energy provider supplies energy to their Department; how much carbon dioxide was emitted by their Department in the latest period for which figures are available; whether the criteria their Department uses to select an energy supplier include how environmentally friendly that supplier is; and what recent steps their Department has taken to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from its energy use.

The Department’s energy is supplied through the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) Energy Framework. Under this framework, EDF supply electricity and TotalEnergies supply gas.

The Department’s total carbon emissions for 2021/22 were 248,134 tonnes. The list of Executive Agencies & ALBs & NDPBs in scope for this reporting are: MoJ Headquarters, HM Prison Service, Probation Service, HM Courts and Tribunals Service, Children and Family Court Advisory Services, Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, Judges Lodgings, Legal Aid Authority, Office of the Public Guardian, Official Solicitor and Public Trustee.

The Department is not responsible for selecting its energy supplier. It is mandated to use the energy suppliers procured by CCS. CCS is responsible for developing the award criteria used to select and appoint Government’s energy suppliers.

MoJ has been investing in energy efficiency measures (such as replacing lighting with LEDs and fitting smart meters) and installing renewable technology. This has contributed to the Department reducing its overall carbon emissions by 33% since 2017/18 against a target of 41% by March 2025.