Government commits to 8% cut in its own water use

The UK government has committed to reduce its own water consumption by at least 8% from the 2017-2018 baseline.

The target was part of new Greening Government Commitments – the actions UK government departments and their partner organisations will take to reduce their impacts on the environment in the period 2021 to 2025. The commitments apply to the office and non-office estate of central government departments and their executive agencies, non-ministerial departments and executive non-departmental public bodies, unless specifically exempted.

It also set two water sub-targets: to ensure all water consumption is measured; and to provide a qualitative assessment to show what is being done to encourage the efficient use of water.

Defra and partners continue to work on a statutory demand reduction target under the Environment Act.