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Government urges FMs to cut carbon costs

The government has urged facilities management companies to work with departments to cut carbon emissions by 10 per cent.

Following the prime minister’s pledge in May to cut emissions by 10 per cent, the minister for the Cabinet Office, Francis Maude has called for facilities management companies and government departments to prepare plans to cut carbon emissions by 10 per cent by May 2011.

A new Energy Efficiency Code, which is a voluntary code of conduct, also states that departments and facilities management firms should consider altering existing contracts, in order to help reduce carbon emissions.

“The public sector as a whole is responsible for three per cent of UK carbon emissions and spends more than £2.5 billion on energy every year, so there is a huge potential to make a real difference,” said Maude.

“This government is determined to tackle waste wherever it exists, and that includes energy use.”

The Office of Government Commerce has produced a guide for companies working with government departments called Energy Efficiency in Facilities Management Contracts

“In FM contracts, one of the key energy related risks is that energy consumption is higher than necessary because heating, lighting or cooling systems are being operated inefficiently; for example operation outside of the hours of occupation of the Properties, or by failing to replace inefficient plant,” the guide states.

“These are the types of risks that an Authority should seek to transfer to facilities managers who control the systems.”

The guide includes suggested contract clauses relating to monthly energy reports, statutory compliance and minimum energy performance standards.

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