Turn fine words into action, on carbon emissions

While the processing industry is playing its part in energy efficiency management, latest statistics show slow progress towards the UK Government's overall target to cut carbon dioxide emissions

While the processing industry is playing its part in energy efficiency management, latest statistics show slow progress towards the UK Government's overall target to cut carbon dioxide emissions by one fifth, with current progress standing at a 5.3% reduction since the benchmark date of 1990.

"If the government is to fulfil the Kyoto Treaty requirements of a 12.5% cut, let alone its loftier ambitions of a 20% reduction, it has a lot of work to do to turn its fine words into action," says Jeff Wealands, technical director of north west based energy management company Utility Auditing (UAL).

"Industry is playing a key role in driving down emissions, achieving an 11.4% reduction since 1990, but the domestic sector is pulling progress down - recording an alarming 12.8% rise," explains Jeff.

"The government is applying ever more onerous taxation to make business go green, but there is no such control on householders.

Unless the government takes the politically unpopular decision to rein in the domestic sector, there isn't any hope of fulfilling these targets".

According to the annual energy trends and prices data, the Climate Change Levy has increased average prices of fuels to business by 10.5% for coal, 4.0% for electricity and 2.5% for gas.

On top of the huge price rises in gas and electricity, which have almost doubled over the past two years, business is feeling the sting of cost increases coupled with taxation.

"It is only right that business should participate fully in saving energy.

This is, after all, enlightened self interest because energy efficiency allows an organisation to cut operating costs and perform more profitably.

But other sectors, such as transport and domestic users should also be encouraged to play their part".

Utility Auditing is an authorised consultant to the Carbon Trust, providing a range of energy efficiency services for business.

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