Whitehall fails to take green steps, say staff

7 Jun 07
Whitehall departments and government agencies are failing to implement measures to combat climate change, according to a survey of civil servants published this week.

08 June 2007

Whitehall departments and government agencies are failing to implement measures to combat climate change, according to a survey of civil servants published this week.

The Labour Research Department poll of union members found that 43% of respondents believed their employer 'had done nothing to cut down on waste or minimise their use of resources'. A further 26% said that their employers had 'done nothing to promote energy efficiency'.

Just 13% of representatives of the Public and Commercial Services union had been given time off for training on 'green' duties.

The LRD study, published on June 5, follows a March report by the Sustainable Development Commission, which concluded that many departments could miss their 2010 carbon reduction targets.

Labour MP John McDonnell has tabled an early day motion calling for union 'green' representatives to be given the same workplace rights as other representatives, to raise awareness of environmental issues. But some ministers, including Environment Secretary David Miliband, have blocked the move.

PFjun2007

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