CIBSE president highlights the benefits of DECs to Chancellor of the Exchequer
Following the Government’s success in beating its own target for cutting CO2 emissions from its estate, CIBSE president Andy Ford has written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, calling for the introduction of Display Energy Certificates (DECs) in the commercial sector.
Emissions from 3000 Government buildings were reduced by 13.8%, cutting energy bills by £13 million. Most of the buildings involved had DECs to measure actual energy use and recommend improvement measures. The estimated cost of producing the certificates is £900 000, based on average DEC costs as estimated by the Department for Business Innovation & Skills, so the savings far exceed the costs of the certificates.
Despite widespread calls to introduce DECs for larger business premises, there have been concerns in Government that they would be a burden rather than a benefit.
Hywel Davies, CIBSE’s technical director, said,, ‘If we are to meet the tough targets for current UK emissions by 80% by 2050, we must take action now to ensure our buildings are using energy efficiently. We see the introduction of DECs to the commercial sector as essential to this goal, and so are calling on Mr Osborne to support the amendment of the Energy Bill to include provisions for DECs in the commercial sector.’
