The government has today confirmed that schools are to be included in its expanded carbon emissions trading scheme when it comes into effect in 2010.
Under the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) about 5,000 businesses and public sector organisations spending over £500,000 a year on electricity will be included in the cap-and-trade scheme, which aims to offer financial incentives to encourage firms to curb their energy use.
Schools were initially expected to be exempt from the scheme, which covers hotels, universities and other medium-sized businesses, amid concerns that it would add to their administrative burden.
However, the government has now confirmed that schools will be tied into the scheme, because their energy use will count towards the total emissions of local authorities included in the CRC. Defra said that as such, schools will not be required to directly trade in carbon credits and will simply have to supply information on their annual energy use to the local authority.
Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said that the move would help encourage local authorities and schools themselves to try and cut energy use. "Bringing schools into the carbon footprint of local authorities taking part in this scheme will encourage greater energy efficiency, with children seeing the results in their own schools," he said, adding that the move would also help engage young people with carbon reduction initiatives.
Supermarkets, hotels and public sector urged to begin preparing for Carbon Reduction Commitment as government confirms large UK organisations will be rewarded or penalised based on carbon emissions performance 14 Mar 2008
The government's much trumpeted carbon reduction commitment trading scheme will provide negligible financial incentive for organisations to curb energy use 20 Mar 2008
Defra identifies reputational risk as key factor behind success of carbon reduction commitment 20 May 2008
Experts warn many firms lack the IT systems and skills to cope with Carbon Reduction Commitment 30 Jul 2008
Government's Carbon Reduction Commitment cap-and-trade scheme could penalise companies using green energy 17 Apr 2008
Report claiming solar panels take over 100 years to recoup their value is just plain wrong, say manufacturers 05 Sep 2008
New hybrid hatchback designed to make dual-drive vehicles more affordable 05 Sep 2008
Republican attempts to highlight differences over energy policy as both candidates pledge to deliver US energy independence 05 Sep 2008
More news
Once your company has gathered up all the low-hanging fruit, what comes next? Sarah Fister Gale finds that the answer lies in everything from multi-million dollar energy efficiency programmes to printers powered by exercise bikes 03 Sep 2008
Slow journey times mean airships are highly unlikely to replace passenger jets, but, as Danny Bradbury discovers, a flotilla of new companies are convinced that low-fuel costs mean the old-fashioned aircraft could have huge appeal to freight operators 02 Sep 2008
Recent claims from the oil giant's chief executive suggesting tar sand extraction is required to slow the shift to coal may have caught the eye, but as BusinessGreen.com discovers they do not make much sense 28 Aug 2008 More in-depth
Post your comment
Send an email to the Business Green editor at feedback@businessgreen.com
