UK government more polluting than whole of Kenya

Government-owned buildings in England and Wales are polluting the world with more carbon dioxide than the entire nation-state of Kenya, according to statistics released by the Guardian newspaper.

Eighteen thousand government buildings are currently undergoing an energy audit, including art galleries, police stations, and ministerial departments.

The 9,000 buildings audited so far produce 5.6 million tonnes of CO2 per year - equivalent to the entire CO2 savings created by wind powered energy generation in the UK.

One in six of the buildings surveyed received the lowest possible energy rating, whilst almost 70% of government offices emit more CO2 than a typical office.

The head office of energy and climate change secretary, Ed Miliband, received a G rating, the worst possible.

It emits 1,336 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year.

Only 55 buildings out of the 8,849 audited so far received the top A rating.

Environmentalists are calling on the government to green up its act.

A spokesperson for the UK Green Buildings Council told the Guardian that a comprehensive programme of green refurbishment in the public sector is needed.

The public sector is responsible for about a third of all non-domestic buildings.

A statement by the Office of Government Commerce, which is responsible for the energy performance of public buildings, said a ‘comprehensive’ plan to reduce CO2 emissions has already been put together, and added that ‘real progress’ is being made.