The National Assembly for Wales has been named the "Most Sustainable Public Sector Organisation in Government" in the Public Sector Sustainability Awards.
The prestigious accolade was awarded to the Assembly by the Institute of Public Sector Estates Management (IPSEM).
The award is given in recognition of an "impressive and important achievement" in contributing towards lowering the carbon emissions of the public sector.
"This is an outstanding achievement and recognition must go to the Assembly's Facilities and Sustainability Team for implementing programmes that have made the Assembly more energy efficient, together with the buy-in from all occupants in support of the environmental improvement programme," said Peter Black AM, the Assembly's Commissioner with responsibility for Sustainability.
"We all know the predictions being made by scientists about the impact that climate change will have on our environment.
"It is right, therefore, that public bodies such as the National Assembly should set an example and play a central role in reducing energy consumption and emissions.
"That's why the Assembly Commission is committed to meeting tough environmental targets."
The Assembly:
- has so far achieved a 37% reduction in energy emissions since 2008/09;
- is in the process of assessing the feasibility of joining a proposed Cardiff district heating network using energy from waste as the primary fuel;
- will shortly be upgrading the existing Building Management System, providing further opportunities to optimise the efficiency of plant and use of energy.
- has increased its recycle rate from 68% to 96% since 2010/11; and
- has achieved a reduction of 50% in waste CO2 emissions over the same period.
The Assembly Commission has also approved an energy reduction route map to reduce energy emissions by a further 30% by 2021, compared to 2012/13 levels.
Neil Bradley, the Assembly's Sustainability Coordinator, said: "I am thrilled to have been representing the Assembly in these awards and for our collective efforts to be recognised in such a positive way. The work we have put in over the years is really paying off and hopefully this will be the catalyst for further improvement in the future."