The Carbon Reduction Commitment - Energy Efficiency Scheme (CRC) Regulations is the first piece of compulsory UK legislation that requires payment to the Government based on the carbon footprint of medium to large non-energy intensive businesses. It aims to reduce carbon emissions from these organisations by at least 4 million tonnes of carbon dioxide per year, by 2020.
The sectors targeted by the CRC scheme generate over 10% of UK Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions.
Do I Need to Register with the CRC Scheme?
The CRC Regulations currently affect all organisations that owned at least one half hourly electricity meter in the UK on 31 December 2008. If your organisation owns at least one manufacturing site, industrial premises or modern office it is extremely likely that it owns a half hourly electricity meter and therefore should have, at least, registered with the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme.
Should I be Fully Participating in the CRC Scheme?
Full participation in phase 1 of the CRC is compulsory for organisations that used over 6,000 MWh (6,000,000 kWh) of half hourly metered electricity from January 2008 to December 2008, unless qualifying for a specific exemption based on clear criteria. At market prices, this was equivalent to electricity bills of approximately £500,000 per year.