The government has achieved only four of the 13 goals set in 1995 to improve its environmental performance, the Environment Ministry said Tuesday.
The goals were part of a five-year action plan meant to demonstrate the government can operate in a more environmentally friendly manner.
However, in 2000, the amount of garbage produced by the central government and affiliated entities was up 32 percent over 1995 levels, leaving it 57 percent above the government's goal of a 25 percent cut.
Over the five years, burnable waste at government offices jumped 43 percent and electricity use in government office spaces rose almost 15 percent. The introduction of low-pollution cars at the central government and affiliated entities stalled at 5.2 percent -- roughly half of the 10 percent objective -- and natural gas consumption was up almost 52 percent, making a mockery of the plan to cut it by 10 percent.
However, the government reduced consumption of virgin pulp, gasoline, propane and water, meeting the goals articulated in 1995.
Officials blamed the failure to reduce waste on the hectic reorganization of government offices in January.
The ministry blamed the dismal results on the plan itself, saying the plan lacked specific goals for each ministry and had no review mechanisms.
Officials placed their hopes on the new Environmental Management System, written into the revamped version of the Basic Environment Plan, which requires government organs to set in-house environmental goals and requires annual progress reports.
The Environment Ministry said it will review and evaluate other ministries' plans.