The study included ministerial offices, police stations, museums and art galleries. One in six buildings received the lowest possible energy efficiency rating. The carbon dioxide they produce is the equivalent of all the greenhouse gas emissions saved by the UK's wind power industry.
Environmental campaigners called on the government to invest in an urgent programme of refurbishment to reduce the carbon footprint of public buildings.
"This confirms that the leadership society needs from government on reducing carbon emissions from buildings isn't there," said Tony Juniper, an independent sustainability campaigner and former director of Friends of the Earth.
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