DEPARTMENT FOR
ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS News Release (231/07) issued by
The Government News Network on 26 July 2007
Climate Change
Agreements are continuing to cut carbon dioxide emissions in a
wide range of energy-intensive sectors, Environment Minister Phil
Woolas told Parliament today.
Climate Change Agreements are voluntary agreements with 51
energy-intensive sectors covering around 10,000 facilities. The
operators of these facilities pay a reduced rate (20 per cent) of
the Climate Change Levy in return for meeting challenging energy
efficiency targets.
Mr Woolas said:
"Climate Change Agreements are working - securing a saving
of 16.4 million tonnes of carbon dioxide last year.
"We have seen continued improvement across all sectors in
Climate Change Agreements, with nearly all facilities having their
Climate Change Levy discounts renewed. Businesses have found more
opportunities to improve energy efficient, and they should be
congratulated on their commitment and innovation to meet and go
beyond a challenging set of targets.
"However, there's no room for complacency. Although
almost all sectors have improved their energy efficiency
performance, and most have saved energy overall, it's going
to be increasingly tough for many businesses to keep meeting their
targets unless they find new and additional opportunities to save energy."
Overall, 32 out of the 49 sectors covered met their targets
outright, and in a further 10 sectors all the facilities had their
Climate Change Levy discounts renewed.
In total, 99 per cent of facilities (9830) were recertified
through meeting their own targets or because their sector met its
target. 461 facilities left the agreements or did not report,
probably due to closure. Another 23 were decertified because they
failed to meet their targets.
Defra also today published its annual report to Parliament on the
UK Climate Change Programme, which is available at
http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/climatechange/uk/ukccp/index.htm.
Note to Editors
1. The Climate Change Agreements - Results of the Third Target
Period Assessment can be found at
http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/climatechange/uk/business/ccl/results.htm
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