Impact of MPs' bottled water

THE use of bottled water by MPs and visitors in the House of Commons has created a 12-tonne carbon footprint, it was revealed yesterday.

A Commons Commission spokeswoman said there were practical and financial difficulties preventing a switch to either tap water or water coolers in offices and committee rooms.

The report – which was carried out by environmental consultancy Best Foot Forward – was commissioned after MPs on all sides protested at the Commons administration committee's decision to rule out a change to tap water.