Business ‘concerned’ by overlapping energy and carbon reduction schemes

Recently submitted by the Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment (IEMA), the response, developed in collaboration with 150 energy and sustainability professionals, acknowledges the value of energy audits especially for those new to energy management.

However, there are concerns about further regulation from many professionals within businesses already reporting on greenhouse gases (GHGs), within the CRC or other compliance schemes.

The proposed ESOS aims to address requirements of the EU Energy Efficiency Directive which requires all Member States to introduce a regime of regular energy audits for ‘large enterprises’.

The intention is to address an information gap and in so doing promote the uptake of cost-effective energy efficiency measures.

Policy and practice lead at IEMA, Nick Blyth, said: “The new ESOS proposals are being introduced into what is already a very busy policy landscape. Our response clearly states that we do not wish to see any important policy drivers lost without adequate replacement.

“However many practitioners do now want to see a more streamlined and complimentary policy suite, underpinned by effective long-term fiscal drivers such as a carbon tax equitably applied, addressing competitiveness concerns and which supports action by providing investment certainty and confidence,” added Blyth.

Leigh Stringer