Overview

This bill mandates that all new commercial buildings procured by UK government departments and related bodies must meet a minimum energy efficiency rating of A or B. This aims to reduce the carbon footprint of public sector buildings and promote energy efficiency.

Description

The Public Sector Buildings (Energy Performance) Bill requires government ministers to ensure that any new commercial building procured for their department or associated bodies has an energy efficiency rating of A or B. This rating must be based on information from the preceding 12 months and conform to the standards used for energy performance certificates. The definition of "procure" includes renting, leasing, purchasing, or acquiring through various schemes like public-private partnerships. "Commercial building" is defined as office space procured under Town and Country Planning legislation. The bill will come into force 12 months after it is passed.

Government Spending

The bill's direct impact on government spending is not explicitly stated. However, upfront costs may increase due to the need to source higher energy-efficient buildings. Long-term savings are anticipated through reduced energy consumption and associated operational costs, although quantifying these savings is difficult without further analysis.

Groups Affected

Groups affected include:

• Government departments and agencies: They will face new procurement requirements, potentially impacting budgets and construction timelines.
• Construction industry: Increased demand for high-energy-efficient buildings.
• Building developers and landlords: Need to meet higher energy efficiency standards for government contracts.
• Taxpayers: Potential long-term savings from reduced energy bills for public sector buildings, but possibly increased upfront costs for construction.

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