NAO report reveals that 80% of new and refurbished government buildings do not meet sustainability targets.

Whitehall has been condemned for failing to meet its own targets to reduce carbon emissions from new and refurbished government buildings.

The report by the National Audit Office (NAO) says that in a sample of projects looked at, 80% would not have met the required standard.

It was critical of the government鈥檚 fragmented and incoherent approach to sustainability and its failure to assess the cost and benefits of more sustainable approaches, as well as its lack of rigorous post-occupancy reviews.

Department staff were also criticised for their lack of expertise in sustainable policies and for failing to review projects to see whether they could be more environmentally friendly.

Departments and agencies spend around 拢3 billion building and refurbishing government properties each year. Among the NAO鈥檚 recommendations are that the bodies with responsibility for sustainability in construction 鈥� including Defra and the OGC 鈥� should make expertise available to all departments.

It also calls for the promotion of low cost approaches for use in smaller construction and refurbishment projects and advice on when it is appropriate to undertake environmental assessments.

Sir John Bourn, head of the NAO, said: 鈥淭he report highlights a continuing failure by departments to consider the long-term value of sustainability in their new builds and refurbishments. This is particularly disappointing given the importance of sustainability in promoting a deeper understanding of value for money.鈥�

Source

Electrical and Mechanical Contractor