Sustainability
Introduction
This report sets out the Sustainability Performance of the Government Property Agency (GPA) estate occupied by the Law Officers’ Departments (LOD), including CPS, for 2021-22 covering key performance data on estate-based activities such as electricity, gas and water use.
Key activities in 2021-22 have included the ongoing management of the estate within the context of COVID-19 and the roll out of work related to GPA’s Net Zero Programme, further details on which are provided in the next section of this report.
Key developments in 2021-22
COVID-19
During the year 2021-22 many buildings have continued to see varied occupancy due to COVID-19 at different times of the year. This continuing change in building use means that comparison of 2021-22 performance data with previous years is less applicable, with any increase and decrease in utility having the potential to be affected by this change of use rather than a sign of a longer term trend. 2021-22 (alongside 2020-21) may need to be considered an outlier in any future data analysis.
Workplace services projects
Net Zero
Net Zero interventions are being considered in all offices where the government has a long-term interest, bringing forward lifecycle replacement where required.
During 2021-22 GPA undertook a project to update the LED lighting at Canterbury, Riding Gate House. 285 fittings were upgraded to more efficient LEDs, which will save an estimated 8.95 tonnes CO2e and save £5,377.01 per annum.
Work will take place during 2022-23 to assess the feasibility of Net Zero interventions at Portsmouth, Crown House and Middlesbrough, Hudson Quay.
Capital projects including sustainable construction
GPA have published a Net Zero and Sustainability Annex3 to their design guide. This sets out the ambitions for both new buildings as well as major refurbishments they undertake for clients. The guide includes consideration of carbon emissions from construction and operation as well as BREEAM targets.
Climate change adaptation
During 2021-22 GPA has undertaken a series of cross functional discussions on climate change adaptation and will be undertaking further assessment in the next few months in order to refine any further detailed action plans needed. GPA will share the findings with clients as the work progresses in order to inform any departmental climate change adaptation action plan work.
Sustainability performance of estate-based activities
Summary
In 2021-22 the LOD saw an increase in gas, electricity and water use compared to 2020-21.
The LOD subscribes to a number of targets including the mandatory Greening Government Commitments (GGC) for reducing energy, water, paper, reducing travel emissions and managing waste. These targets were updated during 2021-22 with a new target period to 2025. The greenhouse gas emissions target for LOD (as provided in the GGC template) is a reduction of 49% in total emissions and 25% in direct emissions compared to a 2017-18 baseline.
In 2021-22, LOD reduced overall and direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared to the 2017-18 baseline but are yet to meet the targets. Whilst the waste to recycling target has been met (over 70%) the targets for overall waste produced and waste to landfill are yet to be met. Water use has increased compared to the baseline and the GGC target is yet to be met.
Scope
The data below shows the CPS’ present position for the financial year 2021-22 against a 2017-18 baseline (unless otherwise stated). Environmental data is for a 12-month reporting period from January 2021 to December 2021 and covers the LOD, including the CPS, Her Majesty’s Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate, the Serious Fraud Office, the Government Legal Department and the Attorney General’s Office. In accordance with annual reporting conventions across other UK Government departments, the LOD’s non-financial indicators are compiled using data from the final quarter of the previous reporting year plus the first three quarters of the current reporting year. 2020-21 non-financial indicators have been restated to include actual environmental performance for the 2020-21 financial year.
Governance and data quality
The GPA was responsible for managing the CPS’ property portfolio in 2021-22. However, overall responsibility for sustainability remains with the CPS executive team. Internal data validation checks are carried out by the contractors Avieco.
In order to report the greenhouse gas emissions associated with activities, ‘activity’ data such as distance travelled, litres of fuel used, or tonnes of waste disposed has been converted into carbon emissions. The greenhouse gas conversion factors used in this report can be found in Government environmental impact reporting requirements for business4.
Summary of performance
Below is a summary of performance against the GGC quantitative targets which largely relate to estate-based activities (the first target also includes scope 3 business travel emissions).
The years between 2017-18 and 2021-22 are not part of the current targets. Performance for these years is covered by the previous GGC targets, further details of and results for which can be found at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/greening-government-commitments-2016-to-2020
GGC headline performance
Table 1: Summary of Greening Government Commitments performance
| Requirement (from the 17/18 baseline unless otherwise stated) |
2017-18 performance |
2018-19 performance |
2019-20 performance |
2020-21 performance |
2021-22 performance |
Achievement against target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reduce overall greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 49% | 4,999 | 2% | 2% | 27% | 26% | Emissions have decreased compared to the baseline. The target is yet to be met. |
| Reduce direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 25% | 1,124 | 26% | 25% | 26% | 10% | Emissions have decreased compared to the baseline. The target is yet to be met |
| Reduce the overall amount of waste generated by 15% | 873 | -13% | -51% | -2% | -10% | Waste has increased. For further information please see waste section |
| Reduce the amount of waste going to landfill to less than 5% of overall waste | 3% | 2% | 0% | 0% | 8% | Waste to landfill has increased compared to the baseline. For further information please see waste section. |
| Increase the proportion of waste which is recycled to at least 70% of overall waste | 92% | 89% | 92% | 90% | 82% | The amount of waste recycled remains above the target. |
| Reduce water consumption by at least 8% | 21,239 | 5% | -5% | 9% | -12% | Water use has increased. For further information please see water section below. |
For the 2021-22 reporting year, the baseline year for the Greening Government Commitments was updated from 2009-10 to 2017-18. As part of the rebasing process disclosures for the 2017-18 baseline year have been subject to review and revision and may differ from previously published data for this year.
Greenhouse gas emissions and financial costs
The Department has decreased its total in-scope gross greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 26% since the 2017-18 baseline year.
Table 2: Greenhouse gas performance 2021-22
| Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions | 2017-18 (restated) |
2018-19 | 2019-20 | 2020-21 (restated) |
2021-22 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-financial indicators (tonnes CO2e) |
Total Gross Scope 1 (Direct)* | 1,124 | 837 | 843 | 837 | 1,006 |
| Scope 2 (Energy indirect) | 3,006 | 3,180 | 3,209 | 2,442 | 2,389 | |
| Total Gross Scope 3 (Official business travel) | 869 | 886 | 837 | 384 | 297 | |
| Total emissions – Scope 1, 2 and 3 | 4,999 | 4,900 | 4,889 | 3,663 | 3,692 | |
| Non-financial indicators (MWh) |
Electricity: non-renewable | 3,461 | 8,931 | 10,261 | 1,428 | 2,028 |
| Electricity: renewable | 2,748 | 6,754 | 6,930 | |||
| Gas | 4,721 | 3,103 | 3,484 | 3,455 | 4,403 | |
| Gas oil | 914 | 954 | 778 | 779 | 769 | |
| Total energy consumption | 11,844 | 12,988 | 14,523 | 12,416 | 14,130 | |
| Financial indicators (£000) |
Expenditure on energy | 1,088 | 757 | 657 | 469 | 675 |
| CRC licence expenditure | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | N/A | |
| Expenditure on official business travel | 4,697 | 5,075 | 6,009 | 813 | 1,766 | |
| Total expenditure on energy and business travel | 5,786 | 5,833 | 6,667 | 1,283 | 2,441 |
Due to the nature of the CPS’ estate and the data available, from 2017-18 onwards it has not been possible to split out the CPS emissions and consumption from LOD overall.
*Definitions for Scope 1-3 emissions can be found at:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/69282/pb13309-ghg-guidance-0909011.pdf
Waste minimisation and management
Table 3: Waste minimisation and management 2021-22
| Waste | 2017-18 (restated) |
2018-19 (restated) |
2019-20 (restated) |
2020-21 (restated) |
2021-22 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-financial indicators (tonnes) | Total waste | 873 | 987 | 1,321 | 889 | 959 |
| Hazardous waste | 5 | |||||
| Non-hazardous waste | Landfill | 23 | 17 | 5 | 2 | 73 |
| Reused/ Recycled | 800 | 883 | 1,215 | 798 | 786 | |
| Composted | 5 | 20 | 15 | 16 | ||
| ICT waste | Reused | |||||
| Recycled | 1 | |||||
| Incinerated with energy from waste | 45 | 82 | 80 | 74 | 84 | |
Previous years’ data for total waste has been restated to reflect the new requirement to include waste sent for incineration.
Waste has increased by 10% since 2017-18, and 8% of waste is currently sent to landfill.
Where data is not available on waste routes for a site a conservative approach has been taken to assume 100% goes to landfill.
For sites where actual data is available, or confirmation of waste routes is available to establish an estimate, the amount to landfill is 4.6%.
Work is ongoing to gather further information on the sites where a conservative approach is being taken and the data on this target will be updated as further information becomes available.
Water consumption
Table 4: Water consumption and costs 2021-22
| Water consumption | 2017-18 (restated) |
2018-19 | 2019-20 | 2020-21 (restated) |
2021-22 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-financial indicators (m3) | Whole estate | 21,239 | 20,253 | 22,363 | 19,276 | 23,863 | |
| Financial indicators (£000) | Water Supply and Sewage Costs | 65 | 46 | 58 | 49 | 64 |
Due to the nature of the CPS’ estate and the data available, from 2017-18 onwards it has not been possible to split out the CPS the consumption from LOD overall.
Since 2017-18, the Department has increased water use by 12%.
Non-estate based items
Table 5: Non-estate based items 2021-22
| 2017-18 | 2018-19 | 2019-20 | 2020-21 (restated) |
2021-22 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Single Use Plastics (CSUP) | Number of items | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 0 | |
| Ultra Low Emission Vehicles (ULEV) | % of overall of fleet | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 33 | |
| Domestic air travel | Emissions tonnes CO2e | 22 | 7 | 24 | 4 | 5 | |
| Paper | Reams | 94,310 | 55,776 | 45,979 | 44,872 | 44,808 | |
Data for CSUPs and ULEVs was not collated prior to 2021/22; data for CSUPs only comprise of Q1-3 procurement.
Due to the nature of the data available, it is not possible to split out CPS flights from LOD overall flights.
The CPS makes use of a centrally sourced travel contract which provides details of alternatives to travel, and the travel and subsistence manual informs staff that alternative methods of travel should be considered before booking a flight.
Future Look
Ongoing review of the improvements to Canterbury Riding Gate will be undertaken to assess performance. Work will take place during 2022-23 to assess the feasibility of Net Zero interventions at Portsmouth, Crown House and Middlesbrough, 1 Hudson Quay.
For sites where there is less detailed information available on waste, further work will be undertaken to assess and update information where possible, and assess any underlying causes impacting waste management performance.
| Other sustainability commitments | |
|---|---|
| Sustainable procurement |
Commercial are embedding Carbon Net Zero provisions in all appropriate tenders and are working with our key suppliers to ensure that our social value models are also driving greater sustainability. This includes for example, ensuring that in seeking to dispose of equipment, re-use is considered ahead of recycling, particularly with schools and charities to support community engagement. Commercial Contract Management (CCM) review sustainability performance indicators in all applicable contracts and will be working closely with our most critical suppliers to build upon their existing work in the field of Carbon Net Zero across their own organisations and supply chains. The CPS Commercial function ensures that sustainability clauses are embedded within the CPS’ contracts and meet the Government Buying Standards, both at procurement stage and also through effective contract management. Financial stability checks for gold contracts (most critical and strategic) have been introduced to further monitor supply chain sustainability, and the contracts state that suppliers must support Corporate Social Responsibility and in their purchase of goods and services. The CPS Commercial team has undergone a major re-structure over the last 12 months. |
| Social Value | The CPS Commercial function has appointed a Head of Strategic Sourcing with a lead role in developing our social value models to deliver wider CPS priorities. Together with Commercial Contract Management (CCM), this role will target social value at new initiatives including reuse and recycling of equipment, digital inclusion, employment for underrepresented groups and capability development across supply chains in key areas such as anti-slavery and carbon net zero. Under our new structure, the new role of Head of Commercial Policy will monitor the inclusion of social value in tenders and the CCM will track benefits realisation to ensure commitments are delivered. |
| Climate change adaption | Climate resilient designs are incorporated in retrofit projects on existing office buildings where possible as part of the ongoing fit out works. |
| Policy making and rural proofing | The CPS is committed to mainstreaming sustainable development in the policy making process. The CPS seeks to ensure that due consideration will be given to impacts often seen as peripheral such as sustainability and rural proofing (where applicable). |
| Sustainable construction | The CPS is committed to the BREEAM standard of “excellence” for any new builds and “very good” for major refurbishments. |
| Reducing environmental impacts from Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Digital |
As part of the CPS’ commitment to reducing the environmental impacts from ICT and Digital, we completed the HMG Greening Government ICT Assessment Workbook for sustainable ICT. This workbook provides the means to demonstrate the progress being made with embedding Sustainable ICT best practices into business operations The CPS has made changes to its ICT circular economy to reduce e-waste, including donating redundant laptops to schools, ensuring devices are either recycled or reused as opposed to being securely wiped and disposed. The CPS has also committed to reducing paper usage through the introduction of digital case files for prosecutors and by creating digital jury ‘bundles’ to reduce the need for paper evidence to be used in trials. The use of Microsoft Teams has not only improved the CPS’ digital working capability, but has created an alternative to meeting face-to-face, thereby keeping official business travel to a minimum. |