CLASP and the Environment Agency are holding a short briefing that will examine the proposed changes to the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme and explore what these mean specifically for local authorities and other public sector organisations.

Reforms to the Carbon Reduction Commitment Scheme were announced in the Chancellor's Autumn Statement and are expected to deliver a 55% reduction in costs, saving around £272 million for participants.

Reforms to the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme include:

• Reducing the number of fuels that participants have to report against from 29 to 2 (electricity and gas for heating).
• Reducing scheme complexity by removing the 90% rule and Climate Change Agreements (CCA) exemption rule.
• Abolishing the Performance League Table but continuing to publish participants aggregated energy use and emission data.
• Reducing overlap with other climate change legislation.
• Withdrawing all state-funded schools in England from the scheme.
• Government will consider how the CRC can incentivise the uptake of new onsite renewable self-supplied electricity.

The session will include presentations from the Environment Agency on the 'Simplification of the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme' as well as an interactive session to explore the key issues and barriers that local authorities are facing, how they are going to be addressed and what support is required in the future.

There will be plenty of opportunity to ask questions throughout the session.

You can find out more information about the proposed changes to the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme by clicking on the link below:

http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/emissions/crc_efficiency/crc_efficiency.aspx

This session is particularly aimed at local authority officers and members as well as representatives from partner organisations who would like to find out more about the proposed changes and what it will mean for them.

Draft Agenda

13.00 Registration, Tea and Coffee available

13.30 Welcome and Introductions

Dan Griffiths and Lex Massey, Environment Agency

13.45 Simplification of the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme

Steve Smith and Neil Guthrie, Environment Agency

Presentation providing an overview of the key changes to the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme and exploring what these will mean specifically for local authorities.

14.45 Group Breakout Session: Barriers/Next Steps to the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme

Facilitated by CLASP and the Environment Agency

Interactive session exploring the key issues and barriers that local authorities are facing, how they are going to be addressed and what support is required in the future.

15.15 Closing Discussion and Next Steps

Dan Griffiths and Lex Massey, Environment Agency

15.30 Close