Sustainability
CPS is committed to delivering the 2021-25 Greening Government Commitments (GGCs), which set goals for reducing emissions and resource use in the UK government’s estate and operation.
This report is prepared in accordance with HM Treasury’s Financial Reporting Manual (FReM) 2024-25, Sustainability Reporting Guidance 2024-25. The GGC and Task Force on Climate Related Financial Disclosure (TCFD) reporting frameworks are used to measure CPS sustainability performance.
Governance
The CPS Board oversees climate-related risks, including through the Estates Strategy and Strategic Asset Management Plan. In 2024-25, the Board received ad hoc updates on sustainability and climate risk. A sustainability lead director was appointed in 2024, followed by the Head of Sustainability in January 2025.
In March 2025, sustainability reports were prepared and presented to the CPS Board.
Risk management
In January 2025, the CPS completed its initial climate risk screening. Work initiated in February 2025 to assess and manage climate- related risks sets out in the CPS Climate Change Risk Assessment & Adaptation Plan.
The CPS uses the Cabinet Office Estates Adaptation Framework Tool, the GPA Climate Change Adaptation Strategy, and HM Treasury’s TCFD-aligned disclosure guidance to assess risks across both its estate and operations.
The initial screening identified key risks from:
- Cascading failures across utilities, transport, and infrastructure, affecting building access, case management, and employee wellbeing.
- Supply chain disruptions, which may hinder service delivery and increase operational costs.
- Water scarcity, impacting building systems such as heating and fire safety.
- Flooding (river, surface, sewer, and coastal), causing potential site closures and regional disruption.
- High temperatures and extreme weather, affecting building integrity, ICT, transport, and staff welfare.
- Public health risks and service disruption due to extreme heat, with increasing reliance on online services.
- Opportunities from milder winters, such as reduced heating needs and improved health outcomes.
Climate-related transition risks may also carry financial implications, including:
- Resource needs to support Net Zero and reporting obligations
- Capital investment in energy efficiency and renewables
- Reputational risks linked to poor building conditions
- Operational savings and wellbeing gains from improved energy and space use
These risks and opportunities will be fully integrated into the plan, with targets aligned to HM Treasury guidance.
Metric and targets
The current GGC framework covers the period 2021 to 2025, and targets are measured against a 2017-18 baseline to be achieved by March 2025. At March 2025 the CPS had made good progress against the GGC targets.
Scope and data validation
Data provided for energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, water usage and waste management is provided to the CPS by the Government Property Agency (GPA). The greening government performance targets were set for the Law Officer’s Departments (LOD) as a whole in 2017-18. Due to the nature of the CPS’ estate and the data available, from 2017-18 to 2022-23 it has not been possible to split out the CPS emissions and consumption from LOD overall figures.
Data for 2023-24 onwards is provided to the CPS by GPA on a CPS only basis and is therefore not comparable to prior years.
The data has been included for transparency purposes only.
The CPS performance against the GGC headline targets from 2017-18 to 2022-23 was reported on a whole of LOD’s basis. The 2023-24 onwards performance figures and achievements are recorded on a CPS only basis against the 2017-18 baseline.
| Headline | 2025 target | 2017-18 baseline 1 | 2024-25 performance | 2024-25 achievement | Supporting of UN sustainable development goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions | 49% reduction | 3,909 tCO2e | 2,370 tCO2e | 39% decrease | Climate action |
| Reduce direct greenhouse gas emissions | 25% reduction | 879 tCO2e | 429 tCO2e | 51% decrease | Climate action |
| Reduce the overall amount of waste generated | 15% reduction | 683 tonnes | 495 tonnes | 27% decrease | Responsible consumption and reduction |
| Reduce the amount of waste going to landfill | Less than 5% of overall waste | 30% | 30% | N/A | Climate action |
| Increase the proportion of waste which is recycled | At least 70% of overall waste | 55% | 51% | N/A | Climate action |
| Reduce water consumption (m3) | 8% reduction | 16,609 | 23,067 | 39% increase | Responsible consumption and reduction |
| Reduce paper usage (reams) | 50% reduction | 94,310 | 71,436 | 24% decrease | Climate action |
Greenhouse gas emissions and costs
| Greenhouse gas emissions | 2017-18 baseline 1 | 2022-23 | 2023-24 | 2024-25 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-financial indicators (‘000 kg CO2e) | Scope 1 – direct emissions | 879 | 730 | 386 | 429 |
| Scope 2: indirect emissions | 2,351 | 1,770 | 1,005 | 954 | |
| Scope 3: total gross omissions (including official business travel) | 680 | 609 | 842 | 987 | |
| Total emissions | 3,910 | 3,109 | 2,233 | 2,370 | |
Energy consumption
| Energy consumption | 2017-18 baseline 1 | 2022-23 | 2023-24 | 2024-25 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-financial indicators (MWh) | Electricity | 2,707 | 1,807 | 4,854 | 4,608 |
| Electricity: renewable 2 | 2,149 | 5,630 | - | - | |
| CHP bought electricity | - | - | - | - | |
| Natural gas | 3,692 | 2,702 | 2,110 | 2,347 | |
| Gas oil | 715 | 601 | - | - | |
| Total energy consumption | 9,263 | 10,740 | 6,964 | 6,955 | |
| Financial indicators (£000) | Expenditure on energy | 1,088 | 2,028 | 630 | 779 |
- Previously reported 2017-18 baseline included data for all Law Office Department emissions. The corrected 2017-18 baseline includes only CPS data.
- GPA ceased providing data on renewable energy consumption in 2022-23 and therefore CPS cannot report on the renewable energy consumed through green tariffs or onsite generation.
Business travel
The CPS uses a central travel contract promoting alternatives to flights and rail as the preferred method of travel, supported by guidance in the CPS travel and subsistence policy. Official business travel includes flights or rail booked through the CPS provider for staff or witnesses attending court. Data on business travel by personal or hire cars isn’t currently able to be captured, and the CPS has no staff fleet vehicles.
| Business travel | 2017-18 baseline 1 | 2022-23 | 2023-24 | 2024-25 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tonnes CO2e | Domestic travel | ||||
| Air | 19 | 10 | 13 | 12 | |
| Rail 1 | Ν/Α | 202 | 272 | 267 | |
| Total | 19 | 212 | 285 | 279 | |
| International travel | |||||
| Air – short haul | 115 | 67 | 90 | 80 | |
| Air – long haul | 421 | 85 | 264 | 271 | |
| Air – international 2 | N/A | 32 | 62 | 104 | |
| Total | 536 | 184 | 416 | 455 | |
| Total business travel | 555 | 39 | 701 | 734 | |
| Km travelled | Domestic travel | ||||
| Air – economy | 137,251 | 73,716 | 83,567 | 74,691 | |
| Air – business | 1,005 | - | - | - | |
| Rail 1 | N/A | 5,747,991 | 7,691,667 | 7,528,923 | |
| Total domestic travel | 138,256 | 5,821,707 | 7,775,234 | 7,603,614 | |
| International travel | |||||
| Short haul – economy | 1,353,543 | 822,140 | 830,146 | 692,607 | |
| Short haul – premium economy | - | - | - | - | |
| Short haul – business | 16,605 | 8,160 | 1,855 | 29,214 | |
| Long haul – economy | 3,710,145 | 865,716 | 1,763,732 | 2,016,042 | |
| Long haul – premium economy | 275,982 | 18,150 | 57,221 | 46,663 | |
| Long haul business | 384,428 | 68,327 | 130,109 | 69,488 | |
| International – economy 2 | N/A | 360,551 | 675,812 | 1,176,837 | |
| International business 2 | N/A | 24,787 | 35,870 | 35,909 | |
| Road | - | - | - | 35,925 | |
| Total international travel | 5,740,703 | 2,167,831 | 3,494,745 | 4,102,695 | |
| Total business travel | 5,878,959 | 7,989,538 | 11,269,979 | 11,706,309 | |
| Expenditure on business travel 3 (£000) | 4,697 | 3,433 | 4,114 | 3,671 | |
- The CPS has only been collating data in respect of rail travel since 2020-21.
- The reporting requirement for international flights were introduced in 2021-22 and such no data is included for years prior.
- Expenditure relating to witness travel is not able to be disaggregated from total witness expenditure and is therefore not included.
The CPS has cut domestic flight emissions by 38% from the 2017–18 baseline, achieving its 30% reduction target set for 2025.
Minimising waste and promoting resource efficiency
Waste
| Waste (tonnes) | 2017-18 baseline 1 | 2022-23 | 2023-24 | 2024-25 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hazardous waste | 4 | – | – | - | |
| Non-hazardous waste | Incinerated waste | 35 | 109 | 62 | 89 |
| Reused/recycled | 626 | 917 | 221 | 251 | |
| Composted | - | 19 | 11 | 6 | |
| Landfill | 18 | 90 | 126 | 149 | |
| Total | 683 | 1,135 | 420 | 495 | |
| ICT waste | Reused | - | - | - | - |
| Recycled | - | - | - | - | |
| Total | - | - | - | - | |
| Total Waste | 683 | 1,135 | 420 | 495 | |
| Total Waste Reused/Recycled | 626 | 917 | 232 | 251 | |
Water
| Water Consumption | 2017-18 baseline 1 | 2022-23 | 2023-24 | 2024-25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-financial (m3) | 16,609 | 23,571 | 20,727 | 23,067 |
- Previously reported 2017-18 baseline included data for all Law Office Department waste and water. The corrected 2017-18 baseline includes only CPS data.
Paper use
Paper usage in the CPS is demand led with the majority of paper usage relating to the bulk print contract which includes the printing of jury bundles.
| 2017-18 baseline | 2022-23 | 2023-24 2 | 2024-25 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper consumption (A4 reams) 1 | 94,310 | 50,967 | 66,165 | 71,436 |
- Paper usage in 2017-18 was reported on a whole of Law Officer’s Departments basis, however CPS no longer receives this information on this basis.
- The 2023-24 paper usage data has been corrected as the previously reported figures included duplication.
Consumer single use plastics (CSUPs)
| 2017-18 baseline | 2022-23 | 2023-24 | 2024-25 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CSUP (number of items) 1 | N/A | 1,223 | N/A | 4,629 |
- From 2024–25, the CPS property partner GPA, began providing data on CSUPs usage. Therefore, no CPS CSUPs figures are available prior to 2024-25
Summary of sustainability performance from estates-based activities
Government Property Agency (GPA) is responsible for delivering all CPS estates services. This encompasses Net Zero interventions and broader sustainability commitments. The CPS Estates team partners with the GPA to ensure service delivery. CPS is working with GPA to resolve data quality and availability issues that present a risk to sustainability reporting obligations. CPS will collaborate with GPA on the following current activities:
- Sustainability Strategy
- Climate Risk Assessment and Adaptation Plan
- Net Zero audit and evidence base
- Formation of the CPS sustainability working group
- Establishment of local sustainability champions
Below is a summary on the key greening government commitment reporting areas with specific updates for the properties that the CPS occupies.
| Greening government commitment area (property related) | Updates |
|---|---|
| Mitigating climate change: working towards net zero by 2050 | GPA has set itself a target to demonstrate progress in delivering a more sustainable office estate for government To support this objective GPA has established a Net Zero Programme for the whole Government Office Portfolio. During 2024-25 over £437k has been invested in properties on a range of projects in buildings that CPS occupies. This includes upgrades to LED lighting in Carlisle, Middlesbrough and Reading. Smart meters have also been installed in Portsmouth. The works completed during this year are projected to achieve over 21,000 kWh savings of energy per year. |
| Minimising waste and promoting resource efficiency and reducing our water use | GPA has a commitment to reduce waste and a specific focus area on the circular economy. Offices managed by GPA offer a range of bins to ensure segregation of waste and encourage recycling. Water use continues to be monitored where the utility is managed by GPA and data provided to clients. |
| Nature recovery – making space for thriving plants and wildlife | GPA have developed a Nature and Biodiversity annex to the Design Guide. This annex includes a range of initiatives to enhance biodiversity and nature recovery, particularly in new constructions and when refurbishing outdoor areas. |
| Sustainable construction | GPA have published a Net Zero and Sustainability Annex to our design guide. This set out the ambitions for both new buildings as well as major refurbishments they will undertake for clients. The guide included consideration of carbon emissions from construction and operation as well as BREEAM and NABERS UK targets. |
| Adapting to climate change | GPA has completed a Climate Change Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan. This has included completion of a preliminary Climate Change Adaptation Risk Assessment. The work has followed the Office for Government Property Framework. Roll out of the action plan will continue in 2025, as more site level information is collected to enable decision making on any further actions needed. |
Other sustainability commitments
Sustainable procurement
Sustainable procurement is about achieving value over the lifetime of a product/service in terms of generating benefits, to the organisation, to society, and the economy, while minimising damage to the environment. CPS considers sustainability when procuring goods and services.
Commercial Contract Management review sustainability performance indicators in all applicable contracts.
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 through effective contract management.
The CPS Sourcing Strategy includes reference to Government Buying Standards to ensure that they are considered for all procurements. The majority of our contracts are let through frameworks. The SQ (standard questionnaire) in the CPS e-tendering portal includes the minimum requirements for Carbon Net Zero in line with PPN 06/21. The CPS utilises the model goods and services standard terms and conditions which support sustainability, including the commitment to carbon net zero (where annual expenditure exceeds the £5m threshold) and environmental obligations through the Social Value questions included in the procurements. In respect of CPS hardware contracts, we have been able to re-use old laptops and dispose to a Charity. This will be an initiative that we embed further.
Reducing environmental impacts from Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Digital
CPS continues to report on reducing environmental impacts from ICT and Digital. The CPS requires all suppliers to provide details on their sustainability policy, practice and approach and complete an annual return, which is used in turn to complete the Sustainable Technology Asset Reporting return, due annually in May.
At present the printing out of jury bundles accounts for most of the printing in the CPS. Digital Jury Bundles will represent a reduction in costs c. £100k-150k over the lifetime of the managed print contract.
Social value
The Commercial team appointed a Head of Strategic Sourcing, one of their responsibilities, was the support the development of social value models that strengthen the organisation’s broader priorities (economic, social and environmental). In collaboration with Commercial Contract Management, this enables the commercial function to embed social value into new initiatives, including the reduction, re-use and recycling of equipment, digital inclusion, employment opportunities for under-represented groups, and capability development across supply chains, specifically in key policy objective areas such as anti- slavery and carbon net zero. Within the current commercial structure, the Heads of Commercial Policy and Governance are responsible for monitoring the integration of social value criteria in procurement tenders, while the CCM team tracks benefits realisation to ensure that social value commitments are being effectively delivered.
Policy making and rural proofing
The CPS is committed to working with the GPA to mainstream sustainable development in the policy making process.
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)
CPS performance contributes towards delivery of SDG 16: Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions which promotes peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels. The CPS Values and Mission contribute towards delivery of SDG 16.