45% of business energy customers say the government’s CRC scheme is just another name for tax

A survey conducted for npower has found that nearly half of business energy customers believe the Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme (CRC) is unnecessary, with over a quarter thinking it will not help the UK reach its carbon reduction targets.

The CRC scheme requires certain companies who consume a large amount of energy (over 6,000mWh) to purchase carbon allowances, with all half-hourly metered businesses required to disclose information on their energy consumption.

The survey found that 43% want financial incentives re-introduced into the scheme, as there is now no real encouragement to reduce carbon consumption – one of the key aims.

41% of businesses also said the scheme should be postponed until the country’s economy is in a better state.

Npower claimed that a significant number of companies will miss the next deadline of the scheme- the submission of the first footprint report this July.