Environmental legislation 'will improve energy efficiency for businesses'

New environmental legislation will help businesses improve the energy efficiency of their properties and have a positive impact on reducing carbon emissions, an expert has suggested.

Managing director of Threadneedle Don Jordison said that the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme will give businesses a "benchmark" for energy usage that will mean "people know what they are shooting at".

The CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme, which began in April 2010, is the UK's binding climate change initiative and an integral part of the government's plans to reduce CO2 emissions

It was intended to provide a guide to show companies how to reduce the energy consumption of their buildings and change the behaviour of large organisations.

Mr Jordison said: "For too long energy has been seen as a fixed cost amongst all categories of owners and occupiers and now it has to be recognised as a variable cost."

He added that as well as reducing carbon emissions, businesses will be encouraged to limit their power usage to lower fuel bills.

Posted by Claire Manning