Government to launch 'Green' IT programme

A new Centre of Expertise is to be set up to help Whitehall departments achieve their targets for reducing carbon emissions and waste across the government estate.

Details of the Centre of Expertise for Sustainable Procurement were unveiled as the government published its response to the Sustainable Development Commission's latest report on how the government is meeting its own sustainable objectives for tackling climate change.

Included in the initiative is the announcement of a major Green Government IT programme, which will be launched in the summer.

The CESP will be set up within the Office of Government Commerce (OGC) alongside the government's Chief Sustainability Officer - a new post to be appointed to take forward a culture of change across all departments in sustainable operations and procurement.

Cabinet secretary, Sir Gus O'Donnell, said, "We must find new and innovative ways of raising the bar for sustainable working, planning and procurement.

"There is still a long way to go but the establishment of the Centre of Expertise for Sustainable Procurement marks the culmination of significant progress over the last twelve months. This central coordination and guidance will help all government departments work to deliver sustainable working practices for the future."