Government buildings energy G-rated

None of the Scottish Government's own buildings have achieved top energy efficiency ratings, prompting calls for ministers to lead by example.

Figures obtained by the Liberal Democrats showed that six of the Government's 18 larger buildings - which account for 71% of the Government's overall floor space - had received the bottom two Energy Performance Certificate ratings.

Meanwhile, none of the buildings managed to achieve the top ratings.

The certificate provides A to G ratings for a building, with A being the most energy efficient and G being the least.

The Scottish Government's offices in Tankerness Lane, Kirkwall, and its freshwater laboratory at Faskally, Pitlochry both received G ratings, while a further four premises, including Cameron House in Oban and Thainstone Court in Inverurie were given F ratings.

Elsewhere, the Government's central offices at St Andrew's House in Edinburgh, and its Victoria Quay offices, also in Edinburgh, received C ratings. Lib Dem energy spokesman Liam McArthur said: "These figures show that the Government has failed to get a grip of energy efficiency in its own buildings. They talk the talk on energy efficiency but aren't doing enough to walk the walk.

"It's disappointing that none of the Government's larger buildings achieve a top rating energy certificate. It's nothing short of scandalous, however, that most of the buildings received the two lowest rated certificates.

"This is not the first time Ministers have been warned about their poor performance on this issue. Despite that, these ratings have hardly changed in over a year. This is not good enough and sends entirely the wrong message to households and businesses about the importance of taking energy efficiency seriously."

A Scottish Government spokesman said the Government was taking action to drive down emissions and its latest environmental annual report showed it was making progress, cutting emissions from waste, travel and energy use.

The spokesman said: "As Scotland has the most challenging carbon reduction targets in the world, it is only right that the Scottish Government leads by example by minimising the environmental impact of its activities."

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