Two departments publish energy use online

Anyone will be able to see how much electricity, gas and water is being used at both organisations' headquarters through an online tracker , the departments have said. The devices will update the sites every 30 minutes with the latest information about energy use, how much it costs and the amount of carbon dioxide it represents. All other central government departments will adopt the same system in the coming months. Energy and climate change secretary Chris Huhne, who is leading the drive to reduce Whitehall's carbon emissions by 10% over the next 12 months, believes the move is a step towards greater transparency. "We're opening up Whitehall's electricity and gas meters to public scrutiny. There can be no hiding place for energy waste in central government," said the Liberal Democrat MP. "Cutting energy use saves carbon and it saves taxpayers' money. Only by leading by example can we expect businesses and homes up and down the country to follow suit." The Home Office said it is "working hard" to reduce its overall fuel expenditure. "The energy tracker will enable the public to see how the Home Office is working towards being a more energy efficient department while reducing its carbon footprint," said Lynne Featherstone, the Home Office sustainability minister and like Huhne a Lib Dem MP. She added: "This demonstrates the government's commitment to transparency and will allow the public to see how much we are spending on gas and electricity in real time."