Carbon Reduction Commitment event: It's no Mystery!

LEP held an event 17th June 2009 at the Magic Circle, to provide a real-life practitioners' view of the CRC and its environmental and financial impacts. Attended by 150 energy managers, property professionals and senior finance officers, delegates heard speakers demystify the scheme, highlight the key issues and give practical guidance on what to do next, compliance and best practice.

• The morning session started with a brief film, "Costing the Earth", with kind permission from the Prince's charity, Accounting for Sustainability Opens in a new window.
  Accounting for Sustainability Handout 17.06.09 Opens in a new window ( PDF, 36 KB)
• The morning's chairman, Rob Leak, Chief Executive of LB Enfield, gave an overview of why Capital Ambition support LEP and what Enfield are doing to comply with the CRC. It is clear that the interest shown at Chief Executive level and by Members enables progress to be made.
  Rob Leak - London Councils - developing solutions together Opens in a new window ( PDF, 138 KB)
• Simon Francis from DECC gave an update of the CRC scheme and clarified a number of issues. He also explained how the CRC fits into other policy objectives, filling a sector emissions gap not already captured by other schemes.
  Simon Francis - DECC - The scheme, policies and benefits Opens in a new window ( PDF, 217 KB)
• Amanda de Swarte from LEP described the project's main objectives and summarised the key CRC impacts and issues that local authorities should consider and plan for.
  Amanda de Swarte - LEP updates and overview ( Opens in a new window PDF, 271 KB)
• Paul Hamblyn from Pulse 24, the Guide and Toolkit's principal author, demonstrated the guide and some of the associated tools. Providing clear explanations to many of the complex issues, the presentation was well received and ensured delegates were keen to receive their copies.
  Paul Hamblyn - CRC guide and tool Opens in a new window ( PDF, 26,345 KB)
• After lunch, Alan Ward from Buying Solutions described the new public sector AMR framework and how to access it. This welcome framework will support the Early Action Metric for those organisations currently investigating and/or getting ready to install AMR solutions. (A particular question was raised in respect of Light meters. Alan has provided an Ofgem document (attached) for information. There may be issues around obtaining billing approval, as meters are subjected to extensive testing to ensure accuracy in every situation including temperature cycling and exposure to influences such as radio frequency etc. It is unclear if these devices have passed testing at time of going to press.)
  Alan Ward - Early measures - AMR framework Opens in a new window( PDF, 284 KB)
  Public lighting open letter Opens in a new window ( PDF, 57 KB)
• Andy Morgan from Kent County Council was able to provide an example of a real hands-on approach to dealing with CRC and what it means, in terms of management responsibility, necessary actions, cost and environmental impacts to a large county council.
  Andy Morgan - Kent perspective ( PDF, 232 KB) Opens in a new window
• Amanda de Swarte from LEP presented some case studies of how different boroughs and organisations in London had used billed energy or half hourly data to reduce energy consumption effectively. Real examples, with real savings and pay back periods.
  Amanda de Swarte - Using data for optimal outcomes Opens in a new window ( PDF, 793 KB)
  Amanda de Swarte - What to do next and support available Opens in a new window ( PDF, 52 KB)
• The final session, chaired by Mark Luntley from LGA was a plenary with all of the speakers. Inevitably there were lots of questions about the league table and difficulties associated with unknown recycling payments. The inclusion of schools, Dedicated Schools Grant and administration of the schools scheme was hotly debated. The costs of carbon and the business case for marginal abatement were also debated. It is fair to say that some delegates received clear answers and others are perhaps still pondering. We await the final regulations!

LEP would like to thank all delegates for actively participating and sharing views and knowledge.

Feedback from the day:

• 'What an excellent event yesterday. It was really well attended and you had an excellent range of speakers.'
• 'Exceeded my expectations, most informative so far!'
• 'Very much focused on local authorities, which was very good'
• 'Excellent presentations, lots of really useful information and practical guidance'
• 'The Guide and Toolkit will be very useful in raising awareness in the organisation'.