The CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme (CRC) is a mandatory UK-wide trading scheme designed to incentivise large public and private sector organisations to take up cost-effective energy efficiency opportunities, so helping to drive down consumption and protect energy security. The Government issued proposals (http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/11/consultation/CRC/4757-cons-simp-crc-energy-efficiency-scheme.pdf) to simplify the scheme, to make it easier and simpler for businesses to feel the benefits of using less energy, as well as supporting jobs in the energy savings industry. The 46 proposals were intended to: address stakeholder concerns about complexity and associated administrative costs; provide greater business certainty; allow for greater flexibility; reduce the reporting burden; reduce the scheme complexity; and reduce the overlap with other schemes. The proposals received broadly positive feedback and the Government intends to implement most proposals as set out in the consultation document. Eight proposals are being changed. The simplification proposals will reduce the administrative costs of participants by more than 55%, savings of some £272 million by 2030. This paper sets out the responses to each proposal, and the action the Government is taking to implement them. The majority of proposals will be implemented in the second phase of the scheme in 2014-15.

Response to the 4th Progress Report - Meeting Carbon Budgets - http: //hmccc.s3.amazonaws.com/2012 Progress/CCC_Progress Rep 2012_bookmarked_spreads_1.pdf, issued on the 28 June 201

Response to the 5th Progress Report - Meeting Carbon Budgets - http://www.theccc.org.uk/publication/2013-progress-report/

The Government is putting in place policies aimed at driving down energy bills for consumers, reducing input costs for industry, cutting carbon emissions and contributing to a more competitive economy. Electricity demand reduction (EDR) measures are a crucial part of delivering potential. Already developed policies include the flagship Green Deal and new domestic Energy Company Obligation. These, together with the deployment of smart meters, are expected to reduce electricity consumption by nearly 6.5TWh by 2030. In addition, the Green Investment Bank will support access to finance and, in time, audits required under the new EU energy efficiency directive will further reduce demand. However, the Department believes that above and beyond existing policies, it should be possible to reduce demand even further. If a 10% electricity demand reduction could be achieved, this could result in electricity system costs savings in the region of £4 billion in 2030. This consultation opens up a range of options to unlock the energy savings that are currently embedded in the system and seeks views on a number of market-wide financial incentives. Publishing simultaneously to the consultation are a consultation summary document (Cm. 8492, ISBN 9780101849227); Electricity market reform policy overview (Cm. 8498, ISBN 9780101849821); Energy security strategy (Cm 8466, ISBN 9780101846622); Annual energy statement 2012 (Cm. 8456, ISBN 9780101845625); and Statutory security of supply report (HC 688, session 2012-13 ISBN 9780102980691)