A3.7.3 Action on Climate Change
Businesses will also be affected. International markets will be disrupted due to issues such as water scarcity and the mass migration of people. As Governments realise the implications, measures are being imposed in an attempt to reduce the impact of our activities on Climate Change. Examples of action taken include:
- The Climate Change Levy (CCL)
- This is a tax on non-renewable energy used by businesses to encourage energy efficiency and the use of low carbon technologies.
- The Renewables Obligation
- This is a legally binding target for electricity supply companies, requiring a set % of electricity to be generated from renewable sources.
- The Carbon Reduction Commitment
- This is a mandatory carbon emissions trading scheme to cover all organisations using more than 6,000MWh per year of electricity.
- Energy Certificates
- These aim to encourage increased energy performance by allowing a building’s energy performance to be measured consistently and objectively.
- Building Regulations
- Amendments have been that will set maximum
carbon dioxide emissions for whole buildings to 25% of the 2006 Regulations. Further
information and the “Code for Sustainable Homes” is available from: http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/buildingregulations/greenerbuildings/sustainablehomes
- Amendments have been that will set maximum
- Climate Change Agreements (CCAs)
- These apply to ten major energy intensive sectors allowing an 80% discount from the Climate Change Levy, proving additional Carbon Dioxide reduction targets are met.
The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) has issued a publication “Adaptation: for Issue for Business”, which presents an overview of climate adaptation issues from a business perspective. The report examines the potential impacts of climate changes on business, risks and opportunities, the business case for adaptation planning, and highlights areas in which business could have a role in promoting adaptation, both at community and global levels.
Source:World Business Council for Sustainable Development, http://www.wbcsd.org/Plugins/DocSearch/details.asp?DocTypeId=33&ObjectId=MzA5ODk
This document is available here:
1.3 – WCSD Adaptation for Climate Change
Further information on policy relating to Carbon and Climate change is included in section B2.10 of this course.