MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
News Release (235/2008) issued by COI News Distribution Service. 27
October 2008
The MoD took
another significant step towards becoming a more sustainable
department today when the Secretary of State for Defence John
Hutton, along with some of defence's key industry partners,
signed a Sustainable Procurement Charter.
The voluntary charter, being signed today at the first National
Defence Industries Council (NDIC) to be hosted by the Defence
Secretary, commits the MoD and its suppliers to work together to
achieve sustainable development goals through educating the supply
chain, developing performance measures and sharing best practice.
Defence Secretary John Hutton said:
"The charter is a very powerful statement of intent, setting
out what we expect and what industry can expect from us. The aim
is that our procurement processes become greener, more sustainable
and provide even better value for money."
Director of the Sustainable Procurement Programme, Duncan
McDonald, said:
"Maintaining operational capability remains our core task.
The MoD is working in partnership with suppliers and trade
associations to ensure that the needs of our troops on the front
line are met by delivering sustainable solutions. An example of
this is the Air Defence and Air Traffic Systems Integrated Project
Team's 'Green Commander Fleet Radar Programme'
which includes eco-design principles to reduce resource use,
increase use of recycled materials, and minimize repair miles."
The majority of the MoD's key suppliers, and the Defence
Manufacturing Association have already signed the charter and MoD
is encouraging the rest of its key suppliers to follow suit soon.
Notes to Editors:
1. MoD Sustainable Procurement Programme
To drive our
ambitious sustainable procurement programme, we have established a
Sustainable Procurement Programme Board (SPPB), chaired by
MoD's 3* Sustainable Procurement Champion - Chief of
Corporate Services DE&S - which is tasked to develop
procurement policy and strategies which embed sustainable
development in to defence acquisition programmes and practices.
2. The National Defence Industries Council (NDIC) is the most
senior forum for consultation between the Government, the UK
defence industry and the Trade Unions. The NDIC aims to inform
and consult on issues of defence industrial policy and strategy,
acquisition policy, and developments in research and technology.
It meets two to four times a year.
3. The 'Green' Commander Fleet Radar Programme,
partnering the IPT with BAeS Insyte on the Type 101 & 102
Radars, includes:
* Energy benchmarking of the radars to
determine energy footprint with a view to setting energy targets
for new radar equipment.
* Development of an IPT restricted
materials list.
* Eco-design principals to reduce resource
use, re-use of items and utilise more recycled material.
Ultimately reducing waste to landfill.
* Minimizing repair
miles.
* Minimizing packaging and ensuring re-use and recycling.
4. For further information please contact the MoD press office on
020 7218 5903 or visit http://www.mod.uk