Start tackling Net Zero Carbon today

Climate change (or global warming) is the name given to long-term temperature change(s) on and around the Earth’s surface. These changes cause long term shifts in weather patterns. It impacts the whole of the Earth and is causing polar ice sheets and glaciers to melt and sea levels to rise.

Another term associated with climate change is ‘greenhouse gases’ (GHG’s). They change the temperatures we see by absorbing long wave radiation (or heat), which is reflected off the Earth’s surface. They are then capable of sending that radiation back to Earth. Our atmosphere absorbs more radiation as more fossil fuels are combusted and damaging GHG’s are released, meaning our atmosphere continues to warm up. This is known as the “greenhouse effect”.

Net zero refers to achieving the balance between the level of greenhouse gases produced against the amount removed from our atmosphere. There are two ways to achieving this:

1) Reducing existing emissions

2) Removing greenhouse gases.

A gross-zero target would mean reducing all emissions to zero, which unfortunately is not realistic, therefore the “net zero” target acknowledges there will be some emissions but these need to be offset. When the carbon emissions produced are cancelled out by the amount removed, the UK will in effect be a net zero emitter.

Considerable legislative changes have already been introduced. The government’s energy white paper was published in December outlining our net zero future. Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) legislation is in force meaning that, subject to certain people and financial criteria, schools, academies and colleges need to report their carbon emissions. Building infrastructure legislation is being reviewed along with decarbonisation, biomass, and hydrogen strategies. All of this adds up to considerable change and additional pressure as we all must do out bit to reduce emissions.

CPC’S Utilities Supplies & Services framework supplier, Dukefield Energy, are supporting many schools, academies and colleges on their energy journey by making the complex simple. They are procurement and energy management specialists with expertise in the following areas:

• Creating and managing Net Zero Carbon Strategies
• Data management and reporting
• SECR reporting and advice
• Display Energy Certificate (DEC) assessments and compliance
• Energy management surveys and reports
• Energy policies
• Carbon management plans
• Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) assessments and compliance
• Procurement – renewable electricity and gas
• Renewable technologies – ground/air/water source heat pumps
• Biomass
• Anaerobic digestion
• Behavioural change strategies

Should you require more information on net zero and what it means for your organisation or if you require support in procuring your energy contract, get in touch with Dukefield today: [email protected] or phone: 0345 4022 461.