06 July
Figures released by the Cabinet Office this week show that all government departments have met their targets to reduce carbon emissions over the last year, saving 13.8% across the civil service.
The National Archives has achieved a reduction of 17.7% in carbon emissions, far exceeding the target figure of 11% set by the Ministry of Justice. The reduction equates to a carbon saving of 1,403 tonnes.
Our energy saving measures include:
- replacing end-of-life building equipment with new and more efficient systems, such as chillers which use 10% less electricity and a combined heat and power plant which generates hot water and uses the energy from this process to produce electricity
- using an anaerobic digestion composting facility, which breaks down food and produces biogas for green energy generation and fertiliser for use in farming
- installing new entrance porches to reduce drafts and lower the amount of heating required, providing an estimated carbon saving per year of 14 tonnes
- upgrading our building management systems to optimise the control of heating ventilation and air conditioning systems
- replacing ageing repository lighting with high-efficiency sensor controlled alternatives.
Today's results mark the first significant milestone in the 25% reduction in carbon emissions that The National Archives has pledged to achieve by 2015.
