Scotland’s public sector must use energy more efficiently

Tackling climate change and making the best use of resources require the efficient use of energy. The public sector in Scotland has made some progress in using energy more efficiently. However, spending on fuel and power by the country’s public bodies has increased significantly because of rising prices.

An Audit Scotland, Improving energy efficiency, looks at how councils, the NHS and central government bodies are improving energy efficiency in their buildings and transport use.

The report says there is a need for stronger leadership on energy efficiency from both the Scottish Government and within public bodies themselves. This will ensure public bodies develop and implement good quality energy strategies, and make the necessary changes to culture and behaviour.

The Auditor General for Scotland, Robert Black, said: “The public sector should give greater priority to energy efficiency for both environmental and financial reasons. Improving energy efficiency can be one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to enhance the public sector’s contribution to addressing the challenges of climate change. It should also reduce the impact of rising energy prices on public services.

“There has been some progress, and the Scottish Government’s publication last week of its draft Climate Change Bill is an encouraging step. However, there is still a need for the government and public bodies to give strong leadership to deliver improvements in energy efficiency and the public sector’s contribution to tackling climate change.”

John Baillie, Chair of the Accounts Commission, said: “Councils have reduced their energy consumption by five per cent in the three years up to the end of March 2007. Continuing this progress will help councils to achieve the commitments outlined in Scotland’s Climate Change Declaration. It will also help them to manage the effects of rising energy prices.”

The report finds that the public sector cut its energy use in public buildings by 4.8 per cent between 2004/05 and 2006/07. But over the same period spending on energy rose by 46.7 per cent, due to increases in fuel and power costs. Collectively, councils and the NHS spend the most on energy, and have made the greatest efforts to improve their energy efficiency.