BUSINESS CAN CUT EMISSIONS - STUDY

Scheme 'can cut extra emissions'
8 November 2009 (BBC News)

"…[The Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC), a government efficiency scheme] could slash energy bills and cut carbon emissions by 50% more than anticipated, a study by the Environment Agency will claim…

"…[Government and businesses] could reduce CO2 emissions by 11.6m tonnes…the equivalent of taking four million cars off the road…[more energy use cuts] than originally estimated…"

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"There has been long-standing scheme to force heavy industries to reduce emissions, but the little-known CRC is the government's new attempt to spread the effort more broadly across business and services…[to] around 5,000 large organisations including construction, food, manufacturing and local authorities.

"The Environment Agency report says hotels, restaurants, shops and government departments have huge potential to cut energy use…The main tools are better management of heating, air conditioning and lighting."

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"The study quotes the example of Kings College London, which carried out a refurbishment which allowed its buildings to use natural ventilation rather than air conditioning. Window shutters - another important insulation measure - were also added…As a result, the report says, the college is saving around £96,000 per year on its energy bills…[B]y simply turning lights off in areas that are not being used, businesses could shave 15% off their energy bills…

"Under the CRC, organisations will be required to buy CO2 "allowances" for each tonne of CO2 they emit…The revenue raised from selling allowances will be "recycled" back to participants…Those doing best will get more money back than they put in - and those doing worse will lose out."