The recent Cabinet reshuffle has left responsibility for environmental issues spread across a number of ministers within the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
Margaret Beckett, DEFRA's Secretary of State announced new roles for her team of ministers after the reshuffle. A spokesman for DEFRA said that Beckett's aim was to ensure that all ministers had shared responsibility for the issues covered by the department, rather than simply concentrating on one.

Beckett commented: "DEFRA's single aim is is sustainable development and once again all DEFRA ministers have a responsibility to drive forward sustainability across government and to the country."

The key ministers from CIBSE's point of view include Elliot Morley, minister for environment and agri-development. His remit includes climate change, 'horizontal environmental issues', and he is also chair of green ministers.

Larry Whitty is minister for food, farming and sustainable energy. His portfolio covers transport and the environment, business and the environment, and energy issues, including energy efficiency. He is also departmental green minister.

The minister for rural affairs and local environmental quality is Alun Michael. As well as rural issues, he is also responsible for environmental liability and the lead DEFRA minister on planning, regional and local government issues.

Beckett believes that this new allocation will help DEFRA. "We are even better placed to follow up what DEFRA achieved at the World Summit in Johannesburg.

"Much has been done, but we still have a lot to do. We have a very strong team of ministers to take forward the achievements of DEFRA's first two years."

Source

ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ Sustainable Design