General measures cutting across sustainability themes

A number of the mandatory requirements placed on departments are general measures that cut across all the sustainability themes. Most of these requirements seek to improve data collection or the sustainable management of processes.

Sustainable Operations on the Government Estate (SOGE) Requirements

Departments must adopt the Carbon Trust's "Carbon Management Programme"	-	-	-	from	2006
Departments must work towards an accredited Environmental Management System	-	-	-	from	2006
Departments must use OGC's "Common Minimum Standards for the Built Environment"	-	-	-	from	2006
Departments must use OGC / Defra "Quick Wins 2007" product specification list	-	-	-	from	2006
Departments must achieve a BRE Environmental Assessment Method Excellent, or equivalent, rating in all new builds	-	-	-	from	2006
Departments must achieve a BRE Environmental Assessment Method Very Good, or equivalent, rating in all major refurbishments	-	-	-	from	2006
Departments must use OGC's "Achieving Excellence in Construction 11: Sustainability"	-	-	-	from	2006
Departments must conduct sustainability appraisals for all office relocations	-	-	-	from	2006