ENVIRONMENTAL FOOTPRINT OF THE PARLIAMENTARY ESTATE

Early day motion 2398, tabled 8 November 2011 by Caroline Lucas (Green). Signed by 14 members.

That this House calls on the House authorities to take urgent action to reduce the environmental footprint of the Parliamentary Estate; is concerned that, in a number of serious ways, parliament is failing to meet environmental best practice, including that in some parliamentary buildings it is impossible to turn down the radiators, which are on at full blast even at times of mild weather; notes that the Speaker's Art Fund has decided not to recommend recycled Christmas cards for 2011, on the grounds that recycled card would be significantly inferior; further notes that bottled water continues to be provided in committee rooms rather than tap water, in spite of the significant environmental saving of the latter; further calls on the House to adopt an ethical and environmental procurement policy including for example phasing out non-Fairtrade products where Fairtrade alternatives exist; welcomes Parliament's Environmental Improvement Plan, but is concerned that the pace of change is too slow; and urges the House authorities to prioritise environmental improvements to ensure that Parliament is leading by example in its environmental performance.

Signatures by party: Liberal Democrat 6, Labour 4, Alliance 1, Conservative 1, Green 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.