Industry has ‘overwhelming desire to see CRC work’

The Environmental Industries Commission (EIC) has published a report that calls on the Government to address issues confronting the flagship environmental policy, the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC).


Scrutinising the CRC, the report stresses the need for a longer term future for a management and allowance system that tackles the challenges and barriers to energy efficiency, which the CRC was originally developed to address.

The report endorses the need to “maximise green economy and job creation benefits” from building refurbishments and energy efficiency upgrades through a grant funding programme.

Other recommendations include introducing clear, long-term carbon pricing based upon a robust and transparent price signal.

“This forward recognition of prices and cost increases will enable better return on investment to be defined, and encourage the research and development of associated technologies,” says the EIC.

It also suggests that the Government should enable low carbon and decentralised energy to be counted towards a reduced carbon tax and the development of a carbon trading system to incentivise the forecasting of energy consumption.

Finally, the report calls for a revision of the Performance League Table with a “range of metrics to better understand an organisation’s unique performance and re-engage energy efficiency as a board-level issue through an improved reputational driver.

Commenting on the report, project lead and chair of EIC’s Carbon & Environmental Management Working Group, Sunil Shah, said: “There is an overwhelming desire to see the CRC work, and to realise the potential for energy efficiency.

“The recommendations in the report set a path to provide senior level engagement, clear price signals and a robust Performance League Table,” he added.

In August, the EIC’s chairman, Adrian Wilkes, backed the CRC after the CBI called for it to be scrapped. Wilkes said the CRC has been a massive boost to the industry, saved money and cut energy bills.

Leigh Stringer

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