Millions of taxpayers’ euros are being wasted due to poor energy standards in public buildings, according to Friends of the Earth.
EU legislation passed in 2002 committed Ireland to displaying an energy performance certificate – called a Display Energy Certificate (DEC) – in every public building over 1000 square metres. The final deadline for full implementation of the directive was January 2009.
Sustainable Energy Ireland has said most DECs should have been in place by the end of June. According to Friends of the Earth, only 336 buildings have DECs out of 4-5000 buildings which need them. That is a compliance rate of 8% at best.
“A huge amount of money could be saved if public buildings used energy better,” according to Friends of the Earth. “A campaign by the Office of Public Works shows that 4 million euros can be saved in two years in 250 buildings. That suggests that in 5,000 buildings, up to €80 million could be saved.
“Our research showed government departments which even this month did not have DECs on display: the Department of Transport (Kildare Street) and the Department of Health (Hawkins Street). It also showed government buildings with extremely poor energy ratings, including the Department of Social and Family Affairs at Goldsmith House in Pearse Street, which has an F rating, although it was totally refurbished six years ago. And the DEC was hidden behind the front desk.
“At a time when a huge gap has emerged in the public finances, millions of euro are being wasted in public buildings through the poor use of energy. Political parties justifiably fight loudly over postponement of cervical screening programmes, cuts in special needs assistance in schools and many other public spending issues, but lights are still left on all weekend, windows are opened while radiators blast out heat and programmes to cut energy spending are voluntary and patchy rather than mandatory and comprehensive.”
Friends of the Earth is calling for a government action at the highest level to ensure the issuing of DECs in all public buildings, and a mandatory action plan to reduce their energy use, with clear and time-tabled targets. Ireland’s official policy is for a 33% cut in public sector energy use by 2020. So why are we crawling gently in that direction instead of making urgent improvements?
This public buildings survey is part of Dublin Friends of the Earth’s YOU CHANGE TOO campaign, which aims to show that changes in the way we run our State are necessary if individuals are to change their behaviour to address climate change.