The Greatest Myth about the CRC – I don’t need to act now!
Posted: April 14, 2010 by Edwina, Category:Building Regulations
The greatest myth surrounding the CRC is that there is no need to act now. This misconception is based upon the fact that the initial scheme year is the footprint year when you monitor and report on your ‘baseline’ energy use (which started on April 1st 2010 –see my previous blog). The thinking is that by having a higher carbon footprint at the start of the scheme it will be easier to reduce emissions and move quickly to the top of the league table. However, there are two main reasons why acting now is the best course of action:
1) The design of the league table involves three metrics to determine an organisation’s position, not just their absolute carbon reductions. An Early Action metric takes into account energy saving measures put into place before the starts of the CRC, while a Growth Metric gives credit to organisations expanding in an energy efficient way. In fact the Early Action metric has a 100% weighting in the 1st year!
2) By acting now organisations can reduce energy usage and make savings on energy costs directly. These saving could even provide budget for the purchase of the initial carbon allowances in 2011, and go towards energy saving initiatives. Why wait to make reductions now and pay what will undoubtedly be a higher energy rate for more energy further down the line.
And that’s before you even look at the other benefits of performing well…
