Monitoring Energy Use and Performance

As part of its Climate Change Programme, the Government has set specific targets for Departments to improve the energy performance of the buildings they occupy.  This will also reduce the emission of greenhouse gases which are contributing to global warming, as well as reducing costs, thereby releasing resources for improved service provision.  Ministers have agreed that these targets should apply to public bodies in Northern Ireland.

All Northern Ireland Departments and their associated bodies (Agencies, Boards, Executives, Trusts etc); District Councils; Police Service; Prison Service; NDPBs such as museums and universities.

Each year details of energy use and associated costs are requested from the above bodies in respect of each building they occupy.  This information is analysed and the energy performance of each building compared with accepted standards.  This process is known as benchmarking.

Reports are passed to each Department or body showing progress over the last 12 months against the base year of 1999/2000.  This assists in the development of action plans to improve performance.  Summary reports are passed to Ministers indicating progress by the Northern Ireland public sector as a whole.  The information is also available for other purposes, such as responding to Parliamentary Questions and similar enquiries, research etc.

Advice is available from several sources, such as Energy Conservation Branch, the Carbon Trust or independent consultants.  Financial support for improvements offering value for money may be available from the Central Energy Efficiency Fund or from other grant aid schemes.

Access the publications page for further information.