Climate Change Bill Communications

By the end of the year we will know the nitty gritty of the Climate Change Bill. Speculation aside, we know it will set carbon budgets for the next five years.

To achieve these budgets, the largest 5,000 non-energy intensive organisations will be put into a cap and trade system, called Carbon Reduction Commitments (translation - their emissions are capped at 2008 levels, if they go under the target they can sell the difference, called credits, but if they go over their capped level, they have to buy credits). In case you were wondering, 'non-energy intensive organisations' are organisations that don't use huge amounts of energy. These organisation are already regulated under the EU Emissions Trading Scheme.

So lot's of organisations will suddenly have the incentive to do a lot more. Given the economic forescasts for the next few years, you can bet that any extra revenue streams will be welcome with open arms.

One of the main motivations for business to 'go green' is so that they can talk about it. The fact that they have to reduce their emissions will undoubtedly result in quite a few rash decisions to promote these new found green credentials. A clear case of greenwash - I'm not going to buy more from you because you care about the safety of your workforce and actually make them wear safety equipment, no matter how silly it looks - that's your legal duty, don't spin it as 'that extra mile you've gone because you care'. The same goes for green, if you are being forced to do it, you can't go around claiming it as something that sets you apart. But, I'll put money on it that someone gets carried away and gives it a go.

That said, Carbon Reduction Commitments still present a huge opportunity from a comms point of view. Every brand wants to strengthen the relationship it has with customers and attract more with its sparkling personality. What better than working together to achieve a common goal - preparing for climate change. Afterall, as individuals there isn't much we can do in isolation. But working with others we can do much, much more.

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