092/2005 | 13 October 2005

Environmental measures at the Scottish Parliament are taking a step forward with the adoption of a new policy aimed at improving a range of practices throughout the Holyrood building.

The policy, which will encourage MSPs, their staff and Parliament staff to play their part in promoting Holyrood as an environmental exemplar, will be phased in over time, but in its first year, it will set a target of reduced waste sent to landfill of 25 per cent.

The initial aim of the new policy will be to target three key areas:

• to reduce waste disposal to landfill by improving recycling;
• to reduce carbon dioxide and other consumption gases by reducing the use of energy; and
• to reduce the use of renewable resources such as paper.

The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body agreed in May 2005 that an Environmental Management System for the Parliament should be developed, and the governing body of MSPs has now agreed proposals to begin implementing the new environmental policy.

The policy outlines a range of measures which underline the Parliament’s commitment to exemplary environmental practices.

Presiding Officer George Reid said: “The Scottish Parliament has endeavoured to follow ethical environmental practices since its creation in 1999, and more so since moving into our new home at Holyrood.

“The adoption of this Environmental Policy is another signal that the Parliament understands the importance of setting an example towards protecting the environment.”

Targets to reduce Holyrood’s energy use will be established by the end of 2005 and targets for reduced paper use will be set early next year.

In the new policy, Parliament staff are to be advised to contribute to “in-house energy efficiency”, which can be achieved through a series of simple but important measures such as switching off office computers and lights when they are not required.

Waste to landfill in the Parliament’s first year of operation was 200 tonnes, while in 2005, recycling rates at Holyrood have averaged 37%.

Background Note

The Scottish Parliament complex was designed with extensive environmental features, including:

• Solar panels on the Canongate Building which provide approximately 24,000 kWh/annum of energy to heat water for Queensberry House;
• A minimum of 80% of electricity purchased from renewable sources such as wind turbines;
• State-of-the-art features which help to reduce water use, including on-site bore holes which provide all the water needed for toilets.

The full terms of the Environmental Policy state that the Scottish Parliament will aim to:

• minimise carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions which result from energy use, through in-house energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy;
• reduce the consumption of resources, in particular office consumables and packaging;
• minimise waste production by identifying ways to reduce, reuse and recycle materials;
• purchase in an environmentally responsible manner;
• reduce the impact of travel and transport to and from the Parliament, by encouraging the use of more sustainable transport and reducing the need to travel where appropriate;
• support and encourage biodiversity within the parliamentary complex;
• reduce its impact on national and global biodiversity;
• seek to positively influence those who use and visit the building through communication, guidance and training;
• identify and comply with legal and other requirements that relate to the environment;
• promote best practice;
• develop and implement an environmental management system ( EMS ) which complies with the international standard for Environmental Management (ISO 14001). The EMS will cover the Parliament complex and surrounding grounds.

The environmental policy has been agreed by the SPCB and the Parliament’s Senior Management Team, but it is dependent on the support and co-operation of all those working in, using and visiting the Parliament to ensure its effective implementation.

In its first year, the Parliament consumed 7 million kWh of electricity and 3 million kWh of gas.

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