Although its share of emissions is relatively small nationally, the public sector plays a very important leadership role in delivering ambitious climate action across all aspects of its work.
This exemplar role is underpinned by Section 15 of the Climate Act, and the requirements thereunder have been reflected in the Public Sector Leading By Example chapter of successive Climate Action Plans.
Through the Climate Action Plans 2024 and 2025, commercial semi-state and public sector bodies are required to comply with the Climate Action Framework for the Commercial Semi-State Sector and the Public Sector Climate Action Mandate, respectively. The Framework and the Mandate consist of a series of climate action objectives. These incorporate areas such as green public procurement, circular economy, climate governance, buildings and transport and are designed to reduce emissions across the public sector.
As a further requirement under climate commitments contained in the Climate Action Plans, public bodies must also prepare Climate Action Roadmaps that set out a future facing plan of how they intend to comply with the Public Sector Mandate and outline any other key climate action bodies are undertaking to reduce emissions. These roadmaps are due annually following the publication of a new Public Sector Mandate.
This comprehensive set of measures ensures that as a government and a public sector, we are at the forefront of adopting best practices, and doing everything we can to further reduce emissions in the public sector.
Section 15(1) of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015, as amended, requires specific public bodies to perform their duties, in so far as practicable, in a manner consistent with a range of climate-policy instruments, including the most recently approved Climate Action Plan.
As per Section 15(3) of the Act, a relevant Minister may also require public bodies under their aegis to adopt specific measures for the purposes of compliance, by the relevant body, with the provisions of Section 15(1). Given the extensive range of measures and actions currently being undertaken by bodies under my aegis, and the strength and success of the Public Sector policies set out above, as Minister this is not something that I have been required to do to date and I am not aware of any such direction being issued by my predecessor.
