House of Commons Committee of Public Accounts – Measuring and reporting public sector greenhouse gas emissions

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Government committed the public sector to lead by example during the UK’s transition to net zero greenhouse gas emissions (emissions) by 2050. But the current measurement and reporting arrangements for public sector emissions fail to allow Parliament or the public to understand how public sector is progressing on decarbonisation and whether it is on track to meet its longer-term targets. Fewer than half of departments comply fully with the mandatory elements of HM Treasury’s reporting requirements, say experts. But inconsistent reporting of emissions data makes it difficult to compare performance and risks undermining confidence in reported achievements.