Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Greening Government Commitments: Defra's Performance 2013-14 & Baseline

September 2013

CO2 from Water CO2 from domestic from all Number of buildings travel Waste buildings Domestic Time period (Tonnes) (Tonnes) (Tonnes) (m3) Flights Total Baseline data 106,047 27,533 7,235 693,673 2,277

2011/12 Q1 Apr - Jun 19,231 4,754 1,464 125,963 417

2011/12 Q2 Jul - Sep 18,266 5,291 1,687 107,424 426

2011/12 Q3 Oct - Dec 23,928 5,224 1,810 150,281 339

2011/12 Q4 Jan - Mar 26,344 5,291 1,709 152,729 903

2012/13 Q1 Apr – Jun 21,222 5,102 1,716 160,663 335

2012/13 Q2 Jul - Sep 17,247 5,278 1,396 175,488 211

2012/13 Q3 Oct - Dec 24,248 6,284 1,545 124,229 582

2012/13 Q4 Jan - Mar 25,045 5,639 2,305 137,616 751

2013/14 Q1 Apr – Jun 18,140 5,440 1,263 183,192 621

Frequently Asked Questions:

Why is there no data for 2010/11? The Greening Government Commitments were only introduced in 2011, the first quarter that departments reported was Quarter one 2011/12

Why is the baseline data not split into quarters? Most of the baseline data is taken from 2009/10. At this time some data were only being captured on an annual basis. Furthermore, the targets set out in the Greening Government Commitments state that the targets will be measured by comparing the year 2014/15 against the baseline data. Why does output sometimes spike up when it should be going down? This is usually due to seasonality, caused by cold weather. However, because Defra's estate incorporates a number of scientific laboratory and research facilities, the changeable workload on these sites can create fluctuations in the data. When was the 'baseline' year? The Greening Government Commitments states that the baseline data should come from 2009/10. However, where this was not available, data should be substituted from a subsequent year, i.e. 2010/11 or 2011/12.

Where can I find more information on the greening government commitments? http://sd.defra.gov.uk/gov/green-government/commitments/ Which bodies are included in the scope of Defra's performance? This report includes data from the following Defra Network bodies: Core Defra, Animal Health Veterinary Laboratories Agency, Food & Environment Research Agency, Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science, Rural Payments Agency, Natural England, Marine Management Organisation, Veterinary Medicines Directorate, RBG Kew, Environment Agency and Forestry Commission. This scope aligns to the Greening Government Commitments requirement for all bodies which occupy 1000m2 floor space or have 250 employees to report against the targets. Why does travel data only include domestic travel? The Greening Government Commitments only requires departments to report on travel within the UK. Therefore, flights and train travel that go to destinations outside the UK are not included here.

Defra Greening Government Commitments: Transparency Commitments

Overview Defra comprises a number of Network Bodies which undertake diverse activities ranging from policy development and environmental compliance, land and flood management and research into marine, plant and animal disease. Energy and water usage is by necessity, higher in these specialist areas, which makes management of the Departments estate and operations in these areas more complex. Commitment.  The Defra Annual Report and Account contains a sustainability annex outlining the Department‟s performance and commitment to sustainability. The report can be found at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/about/reports/.  The Government‟s sustainable development pages can be found at http://sd.defra.gov.uk/.  Defra is a participant in the Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme and EU Emissions Trading System. Details of these schemes can be found at: http://environment-agency.gov.uk/business/topics/pollution/126698.aspx and http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/topics/pollution/32232.aspx.  Defra also reports on its property performance through the Pan-Government „State of the Estate‟ report. Further details can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/state-of-the-estate-in-2012 Climate Change Adaptation (CCA)

 The Environment Agency has continued to deliver the commitments made in its 2011 adaptation report under The Climate Change Act. These will help meet business objectives under a changing climate. Highlights include planting more than 30,000 trees under the „Keeping Rivers Cool‟ programme, supporting river basin planning with a risk assessment on future river flows, continuing to reform the water abstraction regime, and working with partners to embed climate adaptation in the appraisal of capital investment for flood defences.  Forestry Commission England are implementing actions outlined in its Adaptation Reporting Power report, published in March 2012, including enhanced sector outreach and guidance, adaptation supported by enhanced English Woodland Grant Scheme (EWGS) payments and ongoing delivery of the Climate Change Action Plan for the Public Forest Estate. Our work on climate change mitigation is focussed on (a) increasing woodland cover through the EWGS Woodland Creation Grant, (b) increasing our contribution to renewable energy through the Wood fuel Implementation Plan and (c) encouraging the sector's contribution through the work of the Woodland Carbon Task Force

Biodiversity and Natural Environment

 Core Defra & Its Executive Agencies maintain biodiversity at some sites (Worcester (Animal Health Veterinary Laboratories Agency AHVLA, Natural England NE), Sand Hutton (Food and Environment Research Agency FERA) and Barton Hall (AHVLA) sites) through a network of colleagues with specialist skills linked to biodiversity who volunteer their time to help manage the grounds around the properties (hedgerows, ponds and meadows) to encourage habitats and local plant species. Core Defra also actively manages the remediation of land used for Foot & Mouth burial sites, working with wildlife trusts to maintain the land as nature reserves, encouraging indigenous species and habitats.  The Environment Agency, whenever possible, operate a principle that its landholding should be managed for maximum environmental benefit. It also ensures that owned parts of 225 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) across England, (in total 5,306 ha), are managed in an appropriate way. There are 64 SSSIs where all of the land owned is in favourable condition. 4,040 ha of its SSSI land-holding is in favourable condition - this equates to 76.14 % of EA SSSI land in England (4,040 ha of 5,306 ha). Data source: ENSIS (Natural England's SSSI site information system) on 7 June 2013. In addition, during the construction of flood alleviation schemes, EA take opportunities for habitat creation to enhance biodiversity. Examples would include increasing water vole habitat in Middlesbrough and the creation of a new wetland near Keswick.  Forestry Commission; As of April 2012 99% of SSSI on the Public Forest Estate remains in Favourable or Favourable recovering condition. This exceeded the initial programme target of 95% and remains ahead of the current policy intent to maintain 95% of all SSSI in target condition. Procurement of Food and Catering Services  Defra’s catering contract (which covers core Defra and all Executive Agencies) requires its catering provider to comply with a number of clauses which support the Department‟s commitment to sustainability. These include: o Food will be procured from sustainable sources which promote high standards of animal health and welfare, protect food safety and make a significant contribution to rural communities; o The catering provider will support a low carbon food system which uses resources efficiently and ensures that waste is minimised. This commitment requires the catering provider to ensure that the origins and provenance of main food ingredients, including assurance standards and other sustainability criteria shall be highlighted on menus. The catering provider is also required to report on progress to meet the targets and how it is complying with the minimum standards of the Government Buying standards related to food procurement and how it adheres to the Government Buying standard on Timber where wood products are used. Defra has also pledged support for the WRAP Hospitality and Food Service Agreement. This is a voluntary agreement to support the sector in reducing waste and recycling more. Targets to reduce food and associated packaging waste by 5% and increase recycling of these waste streams by 5% have been agreed with the Departments catering provider.  The Environment Agency has a single Catering Supplier, which provides a consistent Catering and Hospitality across England. Four of the sites are zero subsidy, with the remaining at a reduced cost. Previous contracts the subsidy was £125 per FTE, this is now reduced to approx £39 per FTE. EA are working toward the Soil Association Silver Accreditation, we are awaiting confirmation on the Bronze Accreditation which proves challenging dues to changing requirements.  Natural England has implemented a number of policies around the procurement of food and catering services which integrate value for money and streamlining procurement with supporting production and environmental standards where this does not lead to an overall increase in costs. These policies range from a moratorium on the use of bottled water, through to a Sustainable Food and Catering Policy which covers both in-house catering, events and functions.  Forestry Commission continue to promote environmental standards for goods and services procured through a variety of existing policies and tools. In England food outlets providing a catering service to the general public and leased to third party providers are encouraged to follow sustainable food sourcing principles. Guidelines are provided to them at the Lease tender stage and this year a system of assessing success in meeting these guidelines was introduced.

Sustainable Construction  Core Defra and its Executive Agencies have not undertaken any construction projects in 2012/13 that have been eligible for BREEAM assessment. Any contractors working on Defra properties are required to provide environmental policy statements to affirm their compliance with Environmental legislation. All waste/demolition material is recycled where possible.  Environment Agency: The carbon cap for concrete has been developed and will be implemented in the next frameworks starting in July 2013. This will be a mandatory cap with very few exceptions, only for engineering purposes. EA will continue with its timber, aggregates, waste and Carbon targets for projects. It will also introduce the water target under the new frameworks and concentrate on materials management; the use of the CL:AIRE register is mandatory for all projects requiring material or that has excess. EA are also in discussions with Highways Agency to see if there are opportunities to share materials between our projects.  Forestry Commission have undertaken two new construction projects, one now complete at Bucks Horn Oak and one at Westonbirt which are aiming to be BREEAM compliant. The Westonbirt project is still at the planning stage. Whilst achieving BREEAM compliance is current government policy, achieving even bespoke BREEAM compliance in a rural setting is challenging. Other sustainable building schemes are developing in the EU and these schemes may be adopted along with BREEAM.

People  Core Defra and its Executive Agencies offer a number of support mechanisms and wellbeing activities. These have included: o Developing a Wellbeing Network to share Best Practice across the Department. o Offering „Change Management‟ support through a variety of channels including workshops, counselling, and resilience sessions o Access to physical activities such as Defra Network Sports Day, and the cross Government „6DA‟ Sports Challenge and subsidised Gyms in some locations. The Department also signed up to the Civil Service Physical Activity Challenge and participated in the Charity for Civil Servants Walking Challenge which encourages people to walk 10,000 steps a day o Flexible working policies allowing a better work-life balance and encouraging and supporting volunteering. o All employees have access to Occupational Health Services and an Employee Assistance Programme providing access to advice and counselling. o „Wellbeing Week‟ across four core locations - workshops, presentations and onsite massage and counselling sessions to support staff through the Change Programme and focus on mental ill health and musculoskeletal disorders. Positive feedback received and increased general awareness of wellbeing issues. o „Know Your Numbers‟ health event with over 500 employees attending. Positive feedback received and increased awareness of common health issues. o Workplace Stress Framework with to enable managers and employees to carry out simple „wellbeing reviews‟ based on the HSE Management Standards for Stress. Equality Impact Assessments are completed by Estates for all office moves. New working environments created by rationalisation and co-location enable more cohesive working relationships and better communication providing improved efficiency. Better working conditions increase staff morale and welfare, increasing effectiveness and attendance.  Natural England promote a Flexible Working Policy to enable staff to achieve a better work life balance. An annual Staff Survey covers a number of wellbeing issues which are supported by action plans to address particular issues. A Diversity & Equality network of Champions promote equality and diversity across the business. Staff achievements are recognised and rewarded through the annual “Graftas” awards.  The Environment Agency’s main areas of focus for the coming year are: o Equipping managers to be confident and great managers, and get the best out of people. o Making sure people understand and feel confident about their role to ensure their own health and wellbeing at work. o How we show felt leadership in wellbeing. o How we improve our physical environment and ways of working, including technology and travelling. o EA continue to publicise and promote the preventative specialist support services available and consider new ways to making best use of our suppliers. For example our Occupational Health provider and HR colleagues will be meeting to jointly review the quality of referrals. We are establishing a wellbeing forum and are increasing our networking with wellbeing exemplars, such as BT and BITC. In addition, we have increased the number of colleagues in the HSW team focussing on this area, to reflect the increasing business priority for proactive engagement on health and wellbeing.  Forestry Commission are aware that that further change for staff is expected following the Independent Panel‟s report on the future of England‟s Forests Woods and Trees. FC will support its staff and their wellbeing through various interventions. A workshop, „Supporting our People Through Change‟ will be run shortly as well as making a suite of change management modular course available. Our office bases and location are driven mainly by the work that we do, but we are very mindful of creating sustainable office environments for our staff. An example of this is the decision to relocate staff from two locations into the central sustainable Defra office in York a couple of years ago.  VMD: As part of the action the VMD takes to promote staff wellbeing the Agency takes part in the Civil Service People survey each year. We scored 64% on the engagement index in 2012, 2% higher than high performing organisations in the Civil Service. We are taking action with our staff on the few areas were our scores were disappointingly low and have already made changes aiming for a higher rating in 2013.