Environmental analysis 'to lead to greener government'

Government policies will undergo stricter environmental analysis as it looks to promote a greener image.

Issues surrounding air quality, soil quality and wastewater will all be addressed by the coalition, as it looks to implement its Mainstreaming Sustainable Development package.

Under the new scheme, policies that are made by the government will be "sustainability-proofed", in a bid to improve the environment and also boost the economy.

Deputy prime minister Nick Clegg believes that the government should "lead by example" and encourage everyone in the UK to aim for long-term sustainability.

"The government is determined that as we reduce the deficit, we also rebalance the economy and put it on a greener, more sustainable footing," he remarked.

Reducing wastewater and greenhouse gases are fundamental to the new project, as is the reduction of waste.

Last month, the government released its Green Claims Guidance paper, which was aimed at helping businesses use more mainstream language to describe the effect their products have on the environment.

Posted by Claire Manning