Relief for small emitters?
The UK Government is considering relaxing the rules regarding carbon emissions, in order to allow smaller companies and non-commercial organizations (such as hospitals and universities) to opt-out of the carbon quota and trading scheme. These organizations emit only a small proportion of the total CO2, so allowing them to opt out should not affect total emissions reductions significantly. But allowing opt-out would reduce the administrative burden on small companies and non-commercial organizations. See the report in the FT:
“Small companies, universities and hospitals will no longer have to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions under the European Union’s emissions trading scheme in proposals unveiled by the government.
The change, which is subject to an eight-week consultation, was announced as the government submitted formal plans for the next phase of the scheme, which will run from 2008 to 2012.”
The UK Government’s consultation documents are accessible from here.