The project will analyse the use of resources to identify and evaluate the environmental impact of the public sector. The work will be carried out by Ernst & Young and is being funded by Biffaward.
The project will enable the public sector to work towards sustainability by providing guidance and targets for sustainable waste management practices. Data will be collected on consumption of energy, water and paper, as well as waste recycling levels and fuel use.
Doreen Fedrigo, Waste Watch’s research and projects manager, said: “This project could have a huge impact when you consider that the public sector is currently the largest employer in the UK with more than 7.5 million employees. And, up to 15% of all goods and services purchased in the UK are for the public sector.”
She added: “It is time for this sector to demonstrate leadership and set an example of best environmental practice for industry and others to follow. Current environmental performance monitoring and reporting within the public sector is decentralised and there are no formal standards to follow. As a result, information is typically out-of-date and inaccurate.”
The research will be carried out in three phases and a final report will be published in spring 2002. The first phase starts this summer and will determine which resource use indicators should be used. Local authorities, central government and executive agencies are being encouraged to take part in the project and those wanting to do so should contact Waste Watch on 020 7253 6266.
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