Looking forward to 2013: Waste

By Lachlan Fulton

In the final blog looking at changes in environmental policy in 2013, I look at waste. The other two parts are available here:

 

Part 1 - Energy

Part 2 - Carbon

Site Waste Management Plans
The removal of Site Waste Management Plans Regulations 2008 is targeted for October 2013. This is on the grounds that the industry consensus is that businesses would meet the general requirements of the regulations regardless of their existence. The removal is therefore hoped to deliver similar results minus the associated administrative burden. Consultation on this proposal concluded in December 2012 and confirmation on whether the legislation will be removed is expected shortly.

Looking forward to 2013 - Part 2: Carbon

By Lachlan Fulton

 

Looking across three environmental areas; Energy, Carbon and Waste, it looks like 2013 is going to be a busy year. In part two of three, I will provide a brief overview of the key changes - this time with Carbon.

 

Mandatory GHG Emission Reporting
It has been confirmed that all UK registered companies on the London Stock Exchange will have to report their GHG emissions for company reporting years ending on or after 1 October 2013. This means companies are already well into the first reporting period.

The report will need to include GHG emissions from Scope 1 (direct) and Scope 2 sources (indirect emissions from purchased electricity, heat or steam) which are within a boundary consistent with the financial report.

The introduction of this legislation is expected to affect a total of 1,100 companies. A further 24,000 companies could also affected if the decision is made to expanded the legislation to all large companies in 2016.

CRC Simplification

Following on from the chancellor’s Autumn Statement, DECC have published its response to its consultation on the simplification of the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme.

From the 1 June 2013:

• The number of fuels on which you must report will be reduced from 29 to 2 – electricity and gas
• The scheme will only regulate gas supply for the purpose of heating generation
• A 2% de minimis exclusion threshold will be applied to gas (for heating) consumption
• The sale window for CRC allowance surrender will be extended from July to the end of October during each compliance year, effective from September 2013 onwards
• The restriction of the circumstances in which Electricity Generating Credits can be claimed
• The Performance League Table will not be published from next year, however the Environment Agency will continue to publicly disclose participants’ aggregated energy use and emissions data

Price allowances will continue at £12 per tonne of CO₂ in 2013-14 and increase to £16/tCO₂ in 2014-15. From 2015-16 onwards the price will follow the Retail Price Index.

Looking forward to 2013 - Part 1: Energy

By Lachlan Fulton

Looking across three environmental areas; Energy, Carbon and Waste, it looks like 2013 is going to be a busy year. Over three blog posts, I will provide a brief overview of the key changes, starting with Energy.

Alterations to the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive

Effective from the 9 January 2013, changes to the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive 2012 will require:

·         Commercial premises larger than 500m² to display an Energy Performance Certificate where one has been previously issued, and;

·         Public buildings above 500m² to have a Display Energy Certificate visible to all visitors. Unlike buildings above 1,000m², requirements will allow these DECs to be valid for 10 years

For more information, guidance documents have been updated to reflect the changes to the EPBD and are available through the link provided: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/improving-the-energy-efficiency-of-our-buildings

Green Deal Launch

Last week the Green Deal was formally launched and represents the Coalition Government’s flagship policy for transforming the energy efficiency of our aging housing stock. There are currently 45 different types of improvements available and the added incentive of up to £1,000 cashback for households in England and Wales who decide to take early advantage of the scheme.

Plans are still in place to expand the Green Deal for commercial properties. However, it is not yet clear whether the Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC) has managed to overcome the added complexities presented by this in order to launch the commercial scheme shortly after the domestic scheme as intended.

We will keep you posted.