Consultation on the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target

Consultation on proposed amendments to the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target 2008-2011

Introduction

A consultation was held on proposals to amend the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT) through the Electricity and Gas (Carbon Emissions Reduction) Order 2008, S.I. 2008/188. This gave effect to a key element of the £1 billion Home Energy Saving Programme announced in September 2008.

In amending the Order, it was proposed to:

increase the overall lifetime carbon saving target on household energy suppliers by 20 per cent;
provide new incentives to encourage the installation of loft insulation;

encourage energy suppliers to promote Real Time Energy Display devices and provide face to face energy-related advice by giving these measures a pre-determined carbon score;
allow suppliers to meet a greater percentage of their targets through innovative measures.

Background

CERT, which commenced in April 2008, is a household sector energy and carbon saving scheme, placing a 3 year (to March 2011) obligation on energy suppliers to meet ambitious household carbon saving targets. Suppliers meet their targets by promoting (e.g. through subsidy) the take-up of energy saving measures, including loft and cavity wall insulation and high-efficiency lighting and appliances.

In the light of CERT’s potential to help alleviate the impact of rising energy bills, the intention to boost the scheme to maximise the number of households able to benefit was announced. This was one aspect of a wider package of measures announced on 11 September, which also included a new Community Energy Saving Programme; additional resources for the Warm Front fuel poverty grant scheme; and higher levels of cold weather payments.