Sustainable development
- Climate change
- Sustainable development policy
- Action plans and annual reports
- Environmental management system (EMS)
- Targets for Sustainable Operations on the Government Estate
- Government-wide sustainable development
- Environmental Information Regulations
- Further information
DWP is committed to building sustainable development (SD) in to all that it does and to greening the operations of the Department.
The UK Strategy for Sustainable Development defines SD as:
- social progress which recognises the needs of everyone
- effective protection of the environment
- prudent use of natural resources
- maintenance of high and stable levels of economic growth.
- UK Strategy for Sustainable Development (Sustainable Development website)
Climate Change
Climate change is the greatest environmental challenge facing the world today. Rising global temperatures will bring changes in weather patterns, rising sea levels and increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather. The effects will be felt in the UK.
We are acting now to adapt to climate change and to reduce the risk by contributing less to the causes. This section contains information about how DWP is promoting sustainable development and adapting to climate change.
- Climate change (Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs website).
- Study on the impacts of climate change on DWP carried out by the Meteorological Office. (33KB)
Sustainable Development Policy
DWP's Sustainable Development Policy Statement confirms DWP's commitment to the social and economic elements of SD whilst reaffirming the Department's environmental objectives including reducing resource consumption.
Action plans and annual reports
- Annual Report 2009 (1.68MB)
- Annual Report 2008 (6.3MB)
If you require a copy of an earlier Annual Report, please contact Bianca Schofield in the DWP Sustainability and Climate Change Team
Environmental management system (EMS)
In 2003, DWP successfully piloted the implementation and certification (to ISO 14001) of an EMS based in Jobcentre Plus offices within the Government Office Region for the South East. The remaining offices are now covered by an EMS, but certification has not been sought.
Targets for Sustainable Operations on the Government Estate
From 2006 the DWP has been working towards these targets. Progress against these targets are reported publicly in our Annual Report.
Government-wide sustainable development
The Sustainable Development Commission, the Government watchdog body, reports annually on progress across Government as a whole.
- Sustainable Development Commission (external website)
Environmental Information Regulations
Environment Information Regulations (EIR) came into force on 1 January 2005. The EIR are linked very closely to the Freedom of Information Act.
Although the title may suggest that these regulations only cover the environment, this is in fact misleading. This is because the definition of Environment within these regulations is far reaching and covers subjects like human health and the built environment as well as subjects we would normally associate with the environment, such as flora and fauna, air quality, waste, etc.
- Environmental Information Regulations procedures (Information Commissioners Office website)
Further Information
If you have any queries relating to Sustainable Development within DWP please email Richard Fountain, the Department's Sustainability and Climate Change Officer.
