Reducing emissions, improving efficiency FAQs

Want to find our more about the Carbon Reduction Commitment? Looking to learn more about carbon trading? Want to cut your emissions and your costs?

Please take a moment to read through the following commonly asked questions. If you have a specific query or would like to speak to a Reducing Emissions specialist, please click here.

How do I find out about CO2Sense’s carbon trading workshops?

Click here to read about our workshops, or contact us directly to find out more

What does the Carbon Reduction Commitment mean for my organisation?

If your organisation spends a minimum of £0.5 million annually on electricity it is likely to be included in the Government’s proposed Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) scheme.

As part of this scheme, from April 2010 you will be required to:

  • Measure your energy usage through fixed point sources
  • Report to the government on that usage
  • Pay for the emissions your energy creates

If your organisation wishes to emit more than its allocated carbon allowance, it must buy credits from others who emit less than their allowance - or pay significant penalties. Conversely, if your organisation emits less, then it will have allowances in hand that it can then sell on to other companies, thus creating a market in carbon.

What does my organisation need to do in order to become a partner?

Large organisations can become CO2Sense partners once they have engaged with us, and have committed to work with us towards reducing their carbon emissions. By agreeing to work with us, we ask our partners to sign up to the CO2Sense Accord in which our core mission is to:

  • Stimulate and accelerate carbon reduction across all sectors
  • Develop a business sector that understands carbon trading
  • Secure further investment in low carbon technologies
  • Raise the profile of the region and make it a more attractive place for lower carbon business to invest.

Some of our leading partners are engaged with us in working towards low carbon leadership. If you feel this could apply to your organisation, please do contact us.

What funding is available for large organisations?

The final call for capital funding for 2009 has now come to a close, and projects that have been successful in the September call will be notified in November. We are hoping we will be able to continue with a capital funding programme in 2010/11, and we will be releasing further information on this from April 2010.

How does CO2Sense define a large organisation?

A large organisation is defined by its strategic importance to the region’s economy, its annual turnover and the number of employees within the organisation. Most of our partners have an annual turnover of over £43 million, and employ over 250 staff - although this is not exclusively the case.

We’re already meeting our energy targets and have plans in place - how else can CO2Sense help?

We have a non prescriptive service offering. We are here to accelerate the low carbon economy, so if you are a large organisation and want to talk to us about reducing carbon emissions or how your business model can benefit from climate change adaptation and or mitigation activities, then please get in touch.

How are CO2Sense different to the Carbon Trust?

We have a good working relationship with the Carbon Trust, and we often refer organisations to the Carbon Trust for survey work or the carbon management programme. Carbon Trust will also refer organisations to us if necessary. The regional Carbon Trust officer even shares an office with us.

Often, the CO2Sense journey with a partner can pick up from where the Carbon Trust survey ends. In many cases we can walk an organisation through the recommendations of the Carbon Trust report.

Contact us, call 0113 237 8400