Committee on Climate Change

Public buildings

In the CCC’s 2009 progress report, we highlighted the importance of the public sector leading by example. This has been accepted, and reflected in ambitious emissions reduction targets for the public sector. However, and not withstanding this ambition, there has been little change in public sector emissions in recent years.

• Public sector emissions are split equally between indirect and direct emissions.
• Public sector emissions fell by 1% in 2010. This is due to a 6% fall in indirect emissions, offset by an increase in direct emissions of 5%.
• Direct emissions were up 5% in 2010 due to an increased use of heating fuels in the first and fourth quarter of 2010, linked to the cold winter months.
• Indirect emissions fell by 6%, driven by a 7% reduction in electricity consumption.

Commercial buildings

Following a five year period of broadly flat commercial sector emissions prior to the recession, and a 13% reduction in 2009, emissions increased by 4% in 2010.

• In 2010 direct commercial sector emissions, which account for around 20% of total commercial emissions, were up by 2%, driven by increased output and falling fuel prices.
• Indirect commercial sector emissions were up 4% caused by an increase in demand (3%) and carbon intensity of electricity generation (2%).