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  The Carbon Management Challenge
Carbon saving is an urgent issue for us all, as we seek alternative, sustainable forms of renewable energy to limit the impact of climate change.

In a fast-changing environment, organisations need to deliver their green commitments, meet demanding carbon footprint reduction targets and avoid imminent financial penalties for large users of power. 		 
   
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What You Need To Know About Carbon Management
Convert2Green Systems and Fuels
All Convert2Green systems and fuels are ratified by OFGEM and the Department of Transport to attract the appropriate Government credits such as:
  • Renewable Obligations Certificates (ROCs)
  • Renewable Transport Fuel Certificates (RTFCs)
  • Levy Exemption Certificates (LECs)
These credits are in place to encourage our move towards a low carbon economy and allow Convert2Green to reduce the tariffs on fuels for our partners and to pass on the benefit of the accompanying carbon reductions.
The Government Approach
Committee on Climate Change: Building a Low-Carbon Economy The Committee has advised Government to reduce greenhouse gases by at least 34% (relative to 1990 levels/21% relative to 2005) by 2020.  This should be increased to 42% relative to 1990, once a global deal to reduce emissions is achieved.

This follows the Committee’s previous recommendation that the UK should reduce all greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80% by 2050, included in the Climate Change Act.

The report states that biofuels will potentially play an important role in reducing carbon emissions.

Incentives for investment in ‘green’ technologies includes a target for 10% of electricity to come from renewable sources by 2010 and for a minimum of 10,000 MW of ‘good quality CHP’ by 2010.
Public Sector Targets and Guidelines
The Department of Health has stated that, as part of the Outline of Business Case Approval process, all new healthcare buildings are required to meet the ‘Excellent’ standard and all refurbishments are required to meet the ‘Very Good’ standard.

From 01/10/2008 all large public buildings (greater than 1000m2) which are occupied by public authorities or institutions providing a public service and which are frequently visited by large numbers of the public, must have Display Energy Certificates (DECs).  The DEC must be clearly displayed in a public area and show the actual performance of the building.

Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) From October 2008, EPCs are a mandatory requirement for all non-dwellings when they are constructed, sold or rented out.

The EPC provides a rating of the potential energy efficiency and carbon emissions of a building, from A-G, known as the ‘Asset Rating’.  It is based on the theoretical consumption of energy of the building and therefore differs from the DEC assessment, which uses actual energy consumption figures.

In 2001, the Department of Health set mandatory NHS Energy Efficiency Targets for NHS bodies to achieve:
  • A further 15% reduction in energy consumption by 2010 (the NHS had achieved a 20% reduction since 1990).
  • A target of 33-35 GJ/100 cu.m energy efficiency performance, for the healthcare estate, for all new developments, major redevelopments and refurbishments.
  • A target of 55-65 GJ/100 cu.m for all existing facilities.
Private Sector Targets and Guidelines
The Carbon Reduction Commitment is a compulsory scheme for organisations with mandatory half-hourly metered usage which exceeds 6000 MWh per year (roughly an electricity bill of £500,000 p.a.).

In early 2009, the Environment Agency will contact all UK billing addresses, with a half-hourly meter, to request information to assess whether the scheme applies to them.

There will be an uncapped introductory phase (3 years commencing in January 2010) followed by capped 5 year phases.  It is proposed that Phase 1 will commence in January 2013.

Organisations will have to measure their energy use and will then buy and sell allowances at auction to meet caps.

The EU Emissions Trading Scheme states that sites with a thermal capacity of 20MW or more, must hold a Greenhouse Gas emissions permit enabling them to emit GHG and are given an allocation of emissions allowances.

Operators who reduce their carbon emissions, are able to sell their unused allowances, on an open market, to other operators.

Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) From October 2008, EPCs are a mandatory requirement for all non-dwellings when they are constructed, sold or rented out.

The EPC provides a rating of the potential energy efficiency and carbon emissions of a building, from A-G, known as the ‘Asset Rating’.  It is based on the theoretical consumption of energy of the building and therefore differs from the DEC assessment, which uses actual energy consumption figures.

 

 
 
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