In the non-residential sector, commercial and public buildings are responsible for almost 75 MtCO₂ emissions or 14% of total UK CO₂ emissions. To meet carbon budgets, a 38% reduction in emissions is required in these sectors by 2022. Emissions result from the direct use of fossil fuels for heating, and indirectly from the consumption of electricity that is generated by fossil fuels.

There is a significant potential to cut emissions in businesses and the public sector through better energy management and increased use of renewable energy. Cutting emissions would in many cases reduce energy bills.  

There are a wide range of policies supporting business in reducing its carbon emissions, but only one, the Carbon Reduction Commitment, that will specifically cap emissions from large non-intensive users of energy.  The CCC will publish advice to government on the level of the cap will be in autumn 2010.

More and more businesses in the UK are recognising that taking action to reduce emissions is not only cost effective but has other benefits.  The Carbon Trust has information, practical tools and advice for businesses on how to reduce emissions and develop commercial low carbon technologies.

The Committee’s advice in these sectors:

• The Committee’s  most recent analysis of non-residential buildings is in Chapter 3 of the CCC’s 2010 progress report to parliament.
• Chapter 5 of “Meeting carbon budgets – the need for a step change”.
  
• Chapter 6 of the CCC’s first report “Building a low-carbon economy – the UK’s contribution to tackling climate change”.