Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, which provider supplies energy to his Department; how much CO2 was emitted through his Department’s energy consumption in the latest period for which figures are available; whether the criteria his Department uses to selecting an energy supplier includes how environmentally friendly the supplier is; and what recent steps his Department has taken to reduce CO2 emissions from its energy use.

DFID’s UK estate comprises two joint-headquarters, 22 Whitehall in London and Abercrombie House in Glasgow. DFID’s current energy suppliers for both offices are EDF Energy for electricity and Corona for gas. DFID’s energy providers are selected through Crown Commercial Service (CCS) central Government frameworks, ensuring value for money and sustainability.

In 2018-19, DFID’s UK estate produced 1,396 tonnes CO₂ equivalent (tCO₂e) from energy consumption, as detailed in DFID’s 2018-19 Annual Report and Accounts. DFID’s greenhouse gas emissions in the UK estate have fallen by 63% since 2009-10. DFID is on track to exceed the Greening Government Commitment (GGC) target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by end of financial year 2019-20, compared to our 2009-10 baseline.

Reductions in energy consumption have been achieved through various initiatives including; introducing a green roof and biomass boiler in Abercrombie House, improving the insulation in Abercrombie House, installing Automated Meter Reading equipment to help identify energy saving opportunities and increasing staff awareness and engagement through campaigns. DFID participates in the Government’s mandatory CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme to offset greenhouse gas emissions produced by our UK estate.

DFID is committed to the Government’s 25 Year Environmental Plan. We continue to look for ways to improve our internal efficiencies in line with our wider commitments on climate change and our ambition to achieve the Global Goals by 2030.