The Ministry of Defence faces significant challenges in meeting targets for recycling as well as reducing its use of paper, according to a report published this week by the National Audit Office (NAO).
The Audit Office study found that in terms of meeting ‘Greening Government Commitments’, it has already achieved its GGC target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 39.9% from 2010 levels, but faces challenges achieving other targets.
The MoD is likely to meet landfill diversion targets (picture: Shutterstock)
The NAO said the Ministry “is in a good position to meet the central targets for waste reduction and reducing waste to landfill. However, based on 2018-19 data, it faces significant challenges in meeting targets on waste recycling, paper use and domestic flights. For example, it has reduced paper use by one-third since 2009-10, but the target is to reduce this by one-half.”
Targets
The report reads: “In 2017-18, the most recent year for which government-wide Greening Government Commitment results are available, the department made reductions against most of the targets, although the reductions lag behind the government average.
“The department’s size and level of activity mean it is the single biggest contributor to the government’s reductions in emissions, waste production and water use in absolute terms. However, most other departments have made larger reductions in percentage terms.”
Targets were set to improve the department’s sustainability record from 2016-17 as part of Greening Government Commitments. Results from 2018-19 are from departmental internal data.
Successes
The NAO expanded on the Ministry of Defence’s success in waste reduction saying it achieved a 40% reduction in the overall amount of waste produced when compared with 2009-10.
And, the MoD has already exceeded its target of reducing the amount of waste it sent to landfill to less than 10% by 2019-20 by sending only 8% in 2018-19.
Environmental Audit Committee
The report was called for by the Environmental Audit Committee (picture: Shutterstock)
The report was produced in response to a request by the Environmental Audit Committee (EAC), which sought an overview of the Ministry of Defence’s approach to environmental sustainability.
Philip Dunne, chair of the EAC, said: “The NAO’s report highlights the good progress made by the Ministry of Defence as part of the Greening Government Commitments.
“However, there are key areas where progress can, and must, be made. The Ministry of Defence must make sure its building standards for new builds and refurbishments equate to low carbon outcomes, and it must meet targets on waste recycling and where appropriate reduce the number of domestic flights.
“The Ministry of Defence also has scope to increase generation of renewable sources of energy for its own use and to introduce sustainable fuels into its energy mix.
“The government needs to show leadership in taking the necessary steps towards cutting harmful emissions if we expect the whole country to get behind net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.”
Related link
National Audit Office report
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Source: letsrecycle.com Waste Managment
