Green Collar GroupUS govt buildings to go green
America’s federal agencies have 90 days to begin cutting their greenhouse gas emissions, with ambitious targets set by 2020, the White House said, aiming to “lead by example” in fighting climate change. The order for agencies to measure and start curbing their emissions came under an executive order signed by President Barack Obama this week.
The measure will affect electricity consumed by federal buildings and the carbon output of federal workers’ commutes.
“As the largest consumer of energy in the US economy, the federal government can and should lead by example when it comes to creating innovative ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase energy efficiency, conserve water, reduce waste, and use environmentally-responsible products and technologies,” Obama said in a statement.
Under the executive order, all federal agencies will have to meet a series of environmental targets over the next decade, including 50 percent recycling and waste diversion by 2015; a 30 percent reduction in vehicle-fleet petroleum use by 2020; and a 26 percent improvement in water efficiency by 2020.
It is a move resembling the UK’s government carbon targets, which however are legally binding.
Click here to read more about the US measure.
