ICF Consulting to Design UK DEFRA's Internal Climate Strategy

This week, in an official signing ceremony held at the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), the agency became the first government department worldwide to join the Carbon Trust's Carbon Management Programme. The programme enables organisations to use a systematic approach to reduce their energy consumption and emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs). ICF Consulting has been retained to design and help implement DEFRA’s carbon management programme.

To help evaluate DEFRA's options to reduce emissions, ICF Consulting experts will apply the firm’s proprietary systems for appraisal and prioritisation of carbon savings opportunities, deploy innovative approaches to engage staff enthusiasm for carbon culture change, and facilitate access to new sources of finance. “We anticipate that this project will deliver new insights and assist the United Kingdom’s (UK) trajectory towards deep emissions reductions. Furthermore, ICF Consulting expects that many of DEFRA's experiences can then be applied across the UK government,” said Abyd Karmali, climate change expert and director of ICF Consulting’s London office.

DEFRA is seen by many government agencies worldwide as a leader in setting the policy agenda on climate change. By taking this step, DEFRA is leading by example to ensure that its own operations are in order. The challenges faced by DEFRA are a microcosm of the issues confronting businesses and governments worldwide. “ICF Consulting hopes to transfer to DEFRA the lessons learned from our extensive work helping companies around the world design and implement climate strategies,” said Mr. Karmali.

About ICF Consulting
ICF Consulting (http://www.icfconsulting.com) is a leading management, technology, and policy consulting firm. Drawing upon extensive industry knowledge, distinguished professionals, and innovative analytics, the firm develops solutions to complex defense, homeland security, social programme, energy, environment, and transportation issues. ICF Consulting’s approach to these issues is strengthened by its expertise in information technology, organisational improvement, research and evaluation, programme management, and communications. Since 1969, ICF Consulting has been serving major corporations, government at all levels, and multinational institutions. More than 1,500 employees serve these clients in the Americas, Asia, and Europe.