CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme

The Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme (CRC) is the UK's mandatory climate change and energy saving scheme. The scheme started in April 2010 and is administered by the Environment Agency, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and the Chief Inspector (Northern Ireland Environment Agency).

It is central to the UK’s strategy for improving energy efficiency and reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, as set out in the Climate Change Act 2008. It has been designed to raise awareness in large organisations, especially at senior level, and encourage changes in behaviour and infrastructure.

In October’s Spending Review the UK Government announced that the CRC will be simplified to reduce the burden on businesses, with the first allowance sales for 2011/12 emissions now taking place in 2012 rather than 2011. Revenue from the sale of CRC allowances, totalling £1 billion a year by 2014/15, will be used to support the public finances, including spending on the environment, rather than recycled to participants.

Read more at http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/what_we_do/lc_uk/crc/crc.aspx