Parliament puts on less than stellar performance on sustainable stage
07 November 2005
A report released today has found Parliament to use an incredible amountof energy, water, and gas, besides failing to consider sustainablepractice in their catering menu and waste program.
Green Party London Assembly member Jenny Jones comments: "This reportreveals rather tellingly where our government stands on green issues.How can we expect them to support policies that reflect sustainabledemands on resources when they fail to keep their own house in order?
"The increase in resource use is truly astounding: enough water to fill28 Olympic-sized swimming pools, enough energy to power 1,500 homes fora year, and a general disregard for food miles, waste generation, andemissions from members driving to work in their personal vehicles. Thecombination of old, inefficient buildings and staff's ignorance ofenvironmental policies fails to provide a satisfactory excuse. Surelyour Houses of government should have higher standards?"
If enough trees were planted to absorb the amount of CO2 produced topower the House of Commons in 2002-03, the 2,012-strong forest wouldrequire an area almost twice the size of Green Park. Recycling, reuse,and composting are not exploited as means to reduce waste production,and one in three of the fish species purchased by the RefreshmentsDepartment are endangered enough that consumers are advised not topurchase them. Minimal effort has been made by the House of CommonsCommission to encourage MPs and staff to travel to the parliamentaryestate by less polluting modes of transport. (1)
Jenny Jones concludes: "Good habits start at home. If Blair is seriousabout having climate change at the forefront of the agenda, he must tidythe houses of Parliament first."
ENDS
Editor's note:
1. The report can be found atwww.libdems.org.uk
