The failure of government departments to cut their carbon emissions¹ could hit taxpayers², MPs have warned.

政府部门削减二氧化碳排放的行动失败将会使纳税人遭受损失。

A new scheme will penalise bodies performing badly on CO2 emissions

The Environmental Audit⁴ Committee said it was "unconvinced" that the government would reach its own target of reducing emissions by 12.5% by 2011.

It said departments could end up paying better performing private firms under the Carbon Reduction Commitment scheme which is to be introduced next year.

The government said there was no proof that taxpayers would be affected⁵.

'Leadership crucial'

The committee also warned that the government was slipping in the proportion of renewable energy it was using.

Insulation⁶（隔离，孤立）, solar panels and energy efficient combined heat and power boilers⁷（动力锅炉） should be installed in government offices, the MPs said.

Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) chairman Tim Yeo said: "Leadership on these issues is crucial - the government can't have one prescription⁸（药方） for the country and another for its own operations."

About 5,000 organisations will be required to buy CO2 "allowances" for each tonne of CO2 they emit under the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC).

The revenue（财政收入，税收） raised from selling allowances is 'recycled' back to participants according to the progress they make in reducing emissions.

Those doing best will get more money back than they put in - and those doing worse will lose out.

'Little progress'

Mr Yeo said: "Unless the government gets its house in order, taxpayers could end up paying a heavy price to buy carbon credits from the private sector⁹.

"In too many areas, like emissions of carbon dioxide from offices, it has made little or no progress and in others it is backsliding（堕落，退步）."

The committee did praise the government for its successes, such as reducing emissions from its transport.

The best performing central department was the Treasury¹⁰ which cut emissions by 41.7%.

However, the worst was the Department for Children, Schools and Families at just 16.3%.

'Financial benefits'

Commenting on the report, Friends of the Earth energy campaigner Robin¹¹ Webster said the government must do much more.

"Switching to renewable sources of energy and cutting energy waste is crucial to cutting UK carbon emissions - but businesses and families are looking to the government to take the lead and show what can be done," he said.

A government spokesman said: "There is no evidence to suggest the taxpayer³ will incur¹²（招致，蒙受） additional tax burdens through departmental involvement on the Carbon Reduction Commitment programme.

"Departments continue to perform well against their sustainability targets and have the potential to perform well in the Carbon Reduction Commitment programme and achieve financial benefits from the scheme."