The DECC-funded Carbon Trust provides information and advice to help businesses and public sector organisations improve their energy efficiency. Advice is delivered via the Carbon Trust website, dedicated advice line, and a range of further services for organisations of different sizes.
DECC initiatives such as the free CHP Focus website and helpline service, which offers free advice to organisations on combined heat and power applications, are also available to help businesses reduce their carbon emissions.
In addition to this Department’s activities, energy performance certificates have been introduced by communities and local government (CLG) to help improve the energy efficiency of all buildings. Since October 2008 commercial and public buildings must have one whenever the building is sold, built or rented.
EPCs form part of a programme of work that will make a difference to the 50 per cent. of UK carbon emissions that arise from buildings. Other changes include requiring display energy certificates for larger public buildings from October 2008 and inspections for air conditioning systems from January 2009. The CLG website also has a number of publications giving industry guidance on the energy performance of buildings.