Isra-Mart srl : Carbon Deadline Looms For Businesses In Nottingham

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Isra-Mart srl news:

Firms in Nottinghamshire only have a few days left to make an information disclosure about their electricity consumption under a mandatory new Government carbon-cutting scheme – or risk facing a fine of £500 or more.

Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce is concerned that its member businesses could be hit with unexpected financial penalties for missing Thursday’s deadline for the Carbon Reduction Commitment initiative.

The Department of Energy and Climate Change scheme is aimed at ensuring that businesses and other organisations play their full role in contributing to the UK’s target of making carbon emissions reductions of at least 34% by 2020, through improved energy efficiency.

The new rules, which cover all businesses which used half-hourly meters to monitor their electricity consumption during 2008, apply in two ways.

Larger organisations which consumed at least 6,000MWh of electricity in 2008 (equating to an annual electricity bill of £500,000 or more), are required to monitor their carbon emissions and purchase allowances to emit carbon dioxide.

However, all businesses with half-hourly energy metres are required to disclose information about their electricity use in 2008. Failure to do so could result in firms being hit by fines of £500 for every half-hourly meter installed on their premises, along with being named and shamed.

George Cowcher, Chief Executive of the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber, said: “This new government initiative applies to all businesses, regardless of size, which used half-hourly electricity meters in 2008, so it is vitally important that businesses check with their electricity supplier to see if they are required to participate in this scheme.

“Firms which are under obligation to disclose information about their electricity consumption during 2008 could face hefty fines and reputational damage if they don’t report this information back to government. The deadline is this week, so firms need to act fast.

“It’s always worth bearing in mind that businesses can save significant amounts of money by taking a few simple steps towards becoming more energy efficient. The Chamber runs a number of initiatives to help firms achieve these cost savings, including a regular Carbon Reduction Forum and a program of Green Business Fairs.”