2006 Press Releases

Failing to turn off non-essential equipment will cost UK businesses £6.2 million a day over the Christmas period.

The Carbon Trust today welcomed 27 new organisations into its Energy Efficiency Accreditation Scheme (EEAS), the UK's only independent award recognising achievements in reducing energy use.

The Carbon Trust today announced the last call for organisations to apply for the next wave of Networks funding, as it enters its four week countdown. Recently revised funding bands of up to £30,000 or £140,000 are on offer for those organisations keen to take action on climate change. To apply for the funding, applicants are required to produce a detailed plan outlining how their initiative will deliver demonstrable carbon dioxide emissions savings, by 9 January 2007.

The Carbon Trust today launched a new way of presenting the UK’s total carbon footprint based upon an analysis of the products and services that consumers use in their daily lives. The footprint was launched through a national newspaper advertising campaign and breaks down the UK’s 648 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions into eleven high level consumer needs, ranging from clothing and footwear to commuting and food.

Commenting on the announcement by Commissioner Stavros Dimas, European Commissioner for the Environment, on the first set of national allocation plans for 2008-2012 by Professor Michael Grubb, said:

The Carbon Trust today announced ambitious plans to build on the success of its Low Carbon Incubator programme, which provides essential commercialisation support like market analysis, business planning and mentoring for low carbon technology start-ups that are hoping to attract investor funding.

Walkers, Trinity Mirror, Boots and Marks & Spencer pioneer “carbon audit” of their supply chains

The Carbon Trust today announced the expansion of its Consultant Accreditation Scheme to broaden the range of expertise across its consultant network and improve service delivery to businesses and public sector organisations looking to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.

New research on National Allocation Plans shows urgent action needed

66 per cent are more likely to buy products and services with a low carbon footprint

Trusts to reduce annual carbon emissions by 40,000 tonnes and save £7 million a year

A Llandrindod Wells school is being featured as an example for private companies and the public sector to follow when it comes to cutting carbon emissions to help protect the environment.

Tom Delay, the chief executive of the Carbon Trust, welcomed today’s publication of the Stern Review, in particular the focus on the significant opportunities presented by tackling climate change and moving towards a low carbon economy in the UK.

Potential to save up to £20 million annually A new campaign, launched today by the Carbon Trust, offers students and teachers an opportunity to combat climate change by cutting the energy they use in school. The scheme could save schools and further education (FE) colleges in England with high energy bills up to £20 million on their collective energy bill each year – unlocking vital cash for extra resources for students and staff.

Up to £3.5 million available to drive down costs of marine energy The Carbon Trust today launched the Marine Energy Accelerator (MEA), a major new initiative to support the development of marine renewable energy. The project aims to accelerate progress in reducing the costs of wave and tidal stream energy technologies and bring forward the time when marine energy becomes cost-competitive so that significant carbon reductions are achieved.

Government backs Partnerships for Renewables with £10 million support The Carbon Trust announced today its latest commercial initiative to move the UK closer to a low carbon economy, as it unveiled plans to develop onsite renewable energy projects with local authorities, health trusts and other public sector bodies.

The Carbon Trust’s Chief Executive Tom Delay today addressed the TUC Conference on the subject of climate change. He highlighted the pressing need for businesses to take action now to reduce energy wastage and in doing so, cut their carbon emissions and help tackle climate change.

Today, the new Energy Technology List comes into effect. The Energy Technology list is part of the Enhanced Capital Allowance (ECA) Scheme for energy saving investments, which the Carbon Trust manages on behalf of Defra.

Connective Energy to lead the UK’s new recycled heat market, valued at £1bn a year

The Carbon Trust, the independent company set up by the government to work with business to accelerate the move to a low carbon economy, today announced the opening of its procurement process to create new marketing and communications contracts which will be in place for the next four years.

The Carbon Trust today announced its intention to establish a new venture capital fund, to be listed on AIM, investing in small and mid-sized companies in the low carbon and clean energy technology sectors.

New research shows Renewables Obligation needs to be reformed to meet UK renewable targets

Allowance allocation, pricing, cost competitiveness and incentives are all issues core to the success of the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) that need to be addressed as the Scheme enters its next phase. A new study, released today by the Carbon Trust and based on collaborative research with Climate Strategies, examines the workings of the EU ETS to date and offers analysis and recommendations on its future development.

Wasted energy will cost UK businesses £570 million this summer, owing to poor energy efficiency according to new figures released today by the Carbon Trust. This means that even in the summer months businesses are wasting 15 per cent of total energy spend, which could be cost effectively saved.

35 local authorities across the UK are set to save over £8 million per year on their collective energy bill by joining phase four of the Carbon Trust’s innovative Local Authorities Carbon Management programme – launched today (Thursday 11 May 2006).

Businesses were today urged to view a reduction in energy demand as a priority in the fight against climate change. Speaking at the NEMEX event at Birmingham’s NEC, Dr Garry Felgate, Director of Delivery and External Relations at the Carbon Trust argued that businesses, large or small could benefit financially as a result of reducing energy use and helping to tackle climate change.

The Carbon Trust recognises trade and professional bodies leading carbon emission reduction throughout their industries The Carbon Trust today announced the names of twelve organisations who have been awarded grants of up to £150,000, as part of an initiative which encourages industry sectors to cut their carbon emissions. Through working with trade and professional bodies, trade unions and other industry organisations, the Carbon Trust’s Networks Programme helps businesses to reduce carbon emissions and help to tackle climate change.

Sixteen universities [1] from across England and Wales are set to save over £3 million per year on their collective energy bill by joining phase two of the Carbon Trust’s innovative Higher Education Carbon Management programme – launched today (Wednesday 3 May 2006).

The Carbon Trust today launched a new £5 million project to accelerate the commercial development of biomass heat in the UK. The five year Biomass Heat Accelerator Project is the first of its kind and will focus on making small scale biomass self sustainable by reducing costs, supply chain risks and raising awareness.

85 per cent of UK workers willing to cut energy use to help the environment. With a little help, UK employees could be the secret weapon in the fight against climate change.

Investors and corporates urged to understand and manage impacts. Investors and companies need to understand better the shareholder value at risk from climate change, according to a new report issued today by the Carbon Trust. Entitled ‘Climate Change and Shareholder Value’, the groundbreaking report establishes, for the first time, a useable tool for the investment community and corporates to quantify shareholder value at risk from climate change.

Business has the opportunity to take a new approach to delivering products and services to consumers in order to substantially increase carbon emissions reduction, according to a new report launched today by the Carbon Trust.

The Carbon Trust reports on how marine could reach world stage of low carbon technologies.