Department for Work and Pensions: Energy
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to improve energy efficiency across her Department's estate.
Answered by Andrew Western
We have interpreted this to refer to measures undertaken across the Department’s estate in support of broader sustainability and decarbonisation objectives.
DWP is forecast to achieve the challenging energy efficiency related targets set out in the Greening Government Commitments (GGC), which finished in April 2025. While we await final clearance on the latest iteration GGC framework, we continue to prioritise energy efficiency across our operational estate.
The DWPs strategy for improving energy efficiency includes:
- Strategic asset acquisition – Ensuring energy performance is a key consideration in the procurement and leasing of new assets.
- Decarbonising existing estate – Through technologies such as solar PV, decarbonisation of heating systems, LED lighting upgrades, minimum design standards for all works undertaken and building management system (BMS) enhancements.
- Operational optimisation – Including active monitoring, smart controls, management system development and behavioural interventions to reduce consumption and improve performance.
Looking ahead to this financial year, we intend to expand and accelerate these activities, subject to available resources, building on successful projects and continuing to embed energy efficiency as a core principle of our estate strategy
Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →