Two new policies in the United Kingdom are aimed at producing even deeper cuts in the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions.
Under a new emissions trading scheme going into effect in 2010, energy intensive businesses including supermarkets, banks and hotel chains will have to buy pollution permits. And beginning April 6 of this year, homeowners will be free to install microgeneration equipment, like solar panels, without getting receiving planning permission.
The current European Union emissions trading scheme applies only to large installations such as coal plants and cement factories. However the new Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC), implemented under the UK’s Climate Change Bill, will include smaller businesses whose annual half-hourly metered electricity use is above 6,000 megawatt hours.
It also applies to central government departments and local authorities. The sector covered by the CRC is responsible for an estimated 10% of the nations carbon dioxide emissions.
The UK has already achieved greenhouse gas emissions cuts of 12.5% below 1990, as warranted by the Kyoto Protocol; however the country is attempting to achieve the European Union’s goal of 20% reductions by 2020.
Making it more convenient for homeowners to install clean energy systems, is part of the plan for achieving deeper cuts.
"We want to make it easier to help people reduce their carbon footprint. Technology like solar panels can make a real difference, but homeowners can be put off by the time and expense of getting planning permission," planning minister Caroline Flint said.
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