Carbon emissions from construction
Reduce your impact on the environment by reducing your carbon emissions.
What you must do
Check if the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme applies to you
The CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme (CRC) is designed to promote energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions in the UK. It started in April 2010.
The scheme will affect you if your business’ electricity is metered by at least one half hourly meter and you buy on the half hour market. Your electricity supplier can tell you if you buy electricity on the half hour market.
You are responsible for checking if the scheme applies to you. To check you can email CRC help.
See our guidance on the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme in:
England on Business Link: The CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme
Northern Ireland on NIBusinessInfo: The CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme
Scotland on Business Gateway: The CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme
Wales on Business.Wales.gov.uk: The CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme
Trade your emissions
Some businesses are required to reduce carbon dioxide emissions under the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS). You may need a greenhouse gas permit and to report on your carbon dioxide emissions.
See our guidance on the emissions trading in:
England on Business Link: Meet EU Emissions Trading System requirements
Northern Ireland on NIBusinessInfo: Meet EU Emissions Trading System requirements
Scotland on Business Gateway: Meet EU Emissions Trading System requirements
Wales on Business.Wales.gov.uk: Meet EU Emissions Trading System requirements
Good practice
Reduce your climate change levy
The climate change levy is a tax on using non-renewable energy. If the climate change levy applies to your business you will already be paying it as part of your energy bills. You can reduce the amount that you pay by reducing the amount of non-renewable energy that you use.
For more detailed guidance, and to find out if you qualify for an exemption or discount, see our guidance on the climate change levy in:
England on Business Link: Climate Change Levy
Northern Ireland on NIBusinessInfo: Climate Change Levy
Scotland on Business Gateway: Climate Change Levy
Wales on Business.Wales.gov.uk: Climate Change Levy
Use renewable energy
You can reduce your carbon emissions by using energy from renewable sources.
Buy your energy using:
- green tariffs where the provider buys the same amount of energy you use from a renewable source such as a wind farm
- green funds where the provider invests money into researching or setting up renewable energy projects.
Make sure you know how your electricity supplier will check the green tariff or fund and how this will be displayed on your bill.
Look for a tariff certified under the Green Energy Certification Scheme. The scheme electricity tariffs have been independently checked, and meet the energy regulator Ofgem’s Green Energy Supply Guidelines.
Green Energy Supply
Find out if there are any local community renewable energy schemes in your area that you could participate in.
Generate your own electricity, from wind or solar energy for example. You could get a loan from the Carbon Trust to help with the capital costs of installing small-scale renewable energy generators.
Take a short course to learn more about renewable technologies. The Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) runs a number of how-to courses for people who want to generate their own electricity.
