The Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT) came into effect in April 2008, obliging electricity and gas suppliers in Great Britain to achieve carbon targets by encouraging households to take up energy efficiency and low carbon measures.
Under CERT, energy suppliers must deliver measures that will provide overall lifetime carbon dioxide savings of 154 MtCO2 (million tonnes of CO2) – equivalent to the emissions from 700,000 homes each year. It is expected to lead to energy supplier investment of some £2.8bn. Why do we need CERT? The UK has committed itself to a number of targets to reduce harmful emissions: - Cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 12.5% from 1990 levels by 2008-2012, as part of the Kyoto Protocol.
- Cutting emissions of CO2 by 20% and 60% from 1990 levels by 2010 and 2050 respectively, as part of Government policy.
CERT has been designed to make a significant contribution to achieving these targets. It builds on the Energy Efficiency Commitment (EEC), which ran in two phases from 2002 to 2005, and 2005 to 2008. How will CERT work? Electricity and gas suppliers will be obliged to promote things that: - improve energy efficiency, for example, loft and wall insulation
- increase the amount of energy generated from renewable technologies such as wind turbines, solar panels and ground source heat pumps
Suppliers can choose how they meet their targets, but they will typically promote subsidised offers on loft and cavity wall insulation, as well as a wide range of high-efficiency lighting, heating systems, appliances and energy saving devices. Overall the target is to achieve an annual net saving of 4.2 MtCO2 by the end of the programme in 2011. Suppliers must focus 40% of their activity on a ‘Priority Group’ of vulnerable and low-income households, including those in receipt of certain income/disability benefits and pensioners over 70. CERT also allows suppliers to meet up to 5% of their obligation through a ‘flexibility mechanism’, which aims to target hard to treat homes i.e. those off grid or solid walled homes, in the Priority Group. What does CERT mean to me? CERT will mean that energy suppliers will provide grants and offers to help you pay for energy efficiency measures and renewable energy technologies for your home. The key thing to note here is that you can take up grants and offers from any energy company, regardless of whether they supply your gas and electricity. This could help reduce the amount of energy you use, reducing your CO2 emissions as well as helping you to save money on your energy bills too. Most energy suppliers provide loft and cavity wall insulation for free to those aged over 70 or those in receipt of certain benefits. Call your local Energy Saving Trust advice centre on  0800 512 012 to find out more.
What next? Speak to your local Energy Saving Trust advice centre to find out if there are grants and offers available for you. Call freephone 0800 512 012 to speak to an advisor.
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