THE Government has stepped up its efforts to lead by example in its calls for fleets and business to adopt more environmentally-friendly practices. Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has announced that green ministers in each of the Government's departments will have to produce annual reports showing their progress in encouraging environmentally-friendly thinking.

Each department has already received advice on implementing green transport plans through encouraging cycling, walking and other forms of alternative transport.

The Guide To Green Transport, launched last year, was drawn up to advise departments on environmental best practices. Prescott told the House of Commons: 'Green ministers will report regularly to the Cabinet Committee of the Environment and will prepare an annual report on their activities for publication. By the end of this Parliament, I want each department to have begun introducing an environmental management system where that would be deemed efficient and cost-effective and to have collected a set of examples of good practice, in greening policies and operations.'

The green thinking will not just be limited to internal measures, but also to policy decisions, he said, with each department having to include the environmental costs and benefits of decisions in Cabinet Papers. He was responding to the Environmental Audit Committee Report on the Greening Government Initiative, which recommends green ministers' responsibilities be increased.