Understanding environmental legislation
Every business has an impact on the environment. To ensure that this level of impact remains within acceptable limits, there is a need to comply with environmental legislation, regulations and targets.
Environmental legislation covers areas relating to aspects such as air quality, energy, hazardous waste, packaging, solvents, waste from construction and water. Through being more resource efficient your business can reduce its environmental impact that will, in turn, help you comply with appropriate environmental legislation and save money!
Find out more about specific legislation by visiting NetRegs. Here you will find information on current and future legislation applicable to your sector.
The Climate Change Act
The Climate Change Act (which the UK adopted in 2008) sets a target for the UK of reducing carbon emissions to 80% below 1990 levels by 2050.
Carbon reduction commitment (CRC):
The Carbon reduction commitment comes into effect from April 2010 and is being administered by the Environment Agency. Basically, large public and private organisations that have used more than 6,000 MWh of electricity in 2008 (roughly equating to £500K spend) will have to purchase and surrender allowances each year to cover their CO2 emissions. The revenues will then be redistributed among the participants, with each receiving either a bonus or a penalty, depending on the extent to which they have reduced their emissions.
Date Published: 12/01/10