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Carbon Reduction Commitment - Two key updates for public sector

By Talk Power Team | Posted February 04, 2019

1. No more CRC reporting after 2019

If you are one of the 4,000 or so participants in CRC, you will report under the scheme for the last time by the end of July 2019. Be sure to ask for any EDF Energy reports by the end of March so you have everything you need in good time. You can still request it up until the end of October 2019.

You will then surrender your allowances for emissions from energy supplied in the 2018-19 compliance year by the end of October 2019. And then you’re done with CRC! For the public sector, there is no replacement scheme that officially obliges you to report your energy usage or emissions. So that’s a great time saving for some.

If your organisation is already doing a lot to curb its emissions, there’s a new opportunity to make the most of your plans by sharing your cost and carbon savings.

 

2. Join the pledge and lead the charge on climate change

The Government, through its Clean Growth Strategy, is introducing a new approach to incentivise the public sector to reduce its energy usage, cut costs and curb carbon emissions. It’s called the Emissions Reduction Pledge 2020.

Here’s a rundown of the pledge so you can see how your organisation would benefit from signing up:

What is the Emission Reduction Pledge 2020?It’s a voluntary target for reducing carbon emissions. Organisations that are focused on sustainability, and want to play their part in actively tackling climate change, can sign up and pledge to reduce their carbon emissions by 30% by 2020/21 compared to 2009/10 levels.
Which organisations should take part?  

The Government is calling on the following organisations to sign up:
 

  • Local Government.
  • National Health Service (NHS) and Foundation Trusts.
  • Academies and Maintained Schools.
  • Further and Higher Education.
  • Police and Emergency Services.
What’s in it for you and your organisation?
  • Lead the change in your sector
  • Reduce your energy consumption and costs
  • Boost your environmental reputation
  • Be prepared and ahead of the game if the target increases in the future or becomes mandatory

 

What will you need to do if you sign up?

If you sign up to the pledge, you’ll receive guidance on how to set your carbon reduction targets. You’ll also gain access to a reporting mechanism so you can demonstrate your progress to the Government, your stakeholders, employees and others who use your services.

With the pledge, there are three key things your organisation will do as a leading energy changemaker:
 

1. Prepare your business case

The first step is to develop your business case for reducing your energy use, energy costs and carbon emissions in line with pledge’s targets. Or, if you already have an energy and carbon efficiency plan, you can adjust it to align with these targets. Be sure to include your measurement approach in the business case.
 

2. Manage, measure and report your emissions

Then it’ll be time to put your business case into action to implement the Emissions Reduction Pledge 2020, and use regular measurement to inform your energy efficiency changes. Remember we have tools and energy solutions that could help you to do this.

You’ll be asked to report your organisation’s annual energy use to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) through its existing reporting mechanisms.

3. Share your knowledge as you go

A key aim of the pledge is to encourage those taking part to share their best practice knowledge with other organisations. That way you will do your bit to inspire and help others get more energy efficient too.  

To see the official government guidance on the pledge and visit this link

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