We have spent a lot of energy and resource responding to DECC on CRC. While we support its objectives it is already clear that this particular policy tool is not the right one to deliver them. We’ve based our arguments on logic and supported them with evidence, as has the rest of industry, including the CBI (who condemn the current scheme). But on this occasion policy makers aren’t interested in logic. CRC is a political issue, which means that the use of reason is pointless. (more…)
Before we put together a collective response from the ICT sector on the proposed simplifications to the CRC, I thought I would reflect a little on the scheme as a whole. So I am going to stand back for a moment from the battles raging over pointless complexity and cretinous league tables. Once you do that, it becomes evident that what we are looking at is just so much wreckage; and this is wreckage without even a salvage value because everything vaguely useful has been jettisoned. (more…)
DECC has announced their proposed simplifications to the CRC (Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme). This hideous piece of legislation, conceived under the last administration is costly, pointlessly cumbersome, of byzantine complexity and heavily adorned with bells and whistles. When the new administration decided to review it, I saw this as the chance for them to demonstrate their political courage by recognising its inadequacy and replacing it with something more enlightened.
Make no mistake, the Green Economy Council is a good thing, and I’m delighted to see the ICT sector fully engaged in it. But while I’m encouraged that government is listening to, or at least talking face to face, with business, I don’t think we should underestimate the task we have ahead of us. (more…)