From 1^st April 2010, large private and public sector organisations that had a half hourly meter during 2008 must register under a new mandatory emissions trading scheme.

Food and drink is one of the top ten industry sectors that will be affected by the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme when it starts in April.  Lead industry players to be impacted include  SABmill, Unilever, and Premier foods PLC

The CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme has been designed by the UK Government to help deliver its commitment to reduce carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions by at least 80% from 1990 levels by 2050. The scheme could reduce CO₂ emissions by approximately 11.6million tonnes per year by 2020 - the equivalent to taking roughly four million cars off the road. Around 20,000 organisations must register for the scheme with the Environment Agency before the 30^th September 2010;

The Scheme will be phased in over three years.  Once fully operational, CRC Participants (about 5,000 organisations) will be required to monitor their emissions and purchase allowances for each tonne of CO₂ they emit at the beginning of each reporting year.  The first sale of allowances happens in April 2011, covering projected CO₂ emissions April 2011 to April 2012.  These allowances will be sold by Government for £12 per tonne of CO₂.

To find out more about the CRC Scheme click here