Man made climate change is one of the biggest problems facing our global community today. Scientists are warning us that the consequences of a gradual shift in the Earth's climatic systems will have a potentially devastating impact upon both society and our own environment. The build up of greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide, is the cause of such effects.

The primary source of greenhouse gas emissions from buildings is due to the energy consumption.

The government is committed to a mix of policies to achieve reductions in greenhouse gases and to meet its climate change targets. Its legally binding target from Kyoto is to reduce emissions of a basket of greenhouse gases to 12.5% below 1990 levels by 2008-2012. It also has a tougher domestic goal of reducing CO₂ emissions by 20% by 2010.

This Guide has been developed to help government departments determine the energy performance of their estate, thereby identifying priority sites in terms of energy use.

The Guide provides a mechanism for ongoing assessment of the Estate’s energy performance when compared against local targets. The Guide also provides advice and guidance on how energy performance improvements may be achieved where considered necessary.