| Why We Should All Be Concerned About UK GHG Emissions |
| Written by Daniel Stouffer | |
| Tuesday, 15 September 2009 | |
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It seems that UK ghg emissions will take on additional meaning from next year when the Carbon Reduction Commitment seeks to put a price on carbon itself. There has long been outcry from environmentalists and scientists about the potential damage to the environment caused by excess energy usage, the burning of fossil fuels and the emission of greenhouse gases, but now there will be economic repercussions as well.
It seems that UK ghg emissions will take on additional meaning from next year when the Carbon Reduction Commitment seeks to put a price on carbon itself. There has long been outcry from environmentalists and scientists about the potential damage to the environment caused by excess energy usage, the burning of fossil fuels and the emission of greenhouse gases, but now there will be economic repercussions as well. In advance of any international action, the British government is enforcing legislation to bring the largest polluters into line. From 2010, the 5000 biggest electricity consumers must account for their use and be ready to buy appropriate allocations from the government. These allowances must be traded back to the government as energy is used and gases released. What is being known as a "cap and trade" scheme is being introduced to help curtail UK GHG emissions. This is similar to the "acid rain" project that was introduced by the USA in the 80s. The British government wants to reduce overall carbon emissions significantly by the year 2050 and from now on an overall cap will be enforced on the total amount of emissions that can be released. As part of the scheme, users will trade between themselves as they reduce their carbon footprints. UK GHG emissions only represent part of the problem worldwide, of course but it looks like individual country initiatives will be the way forward as the overall problem is addressed. Industrialized nations lead the way, although a new initiative is expected from the Copenhagen protocol in 2012. The problem of carbon pollution can come from energy production, distribution, usage or can arise when consumers use the product or when something is recycled. The British government intends to get a good grip on the problem of UK ghg emissions over the next four decades through the introduction of the Carbon Reduction Commitment. US legislators are looking with keen interest at London initiatives to tackle UK ghg emissions, as similar plans are afoot within Congress. It remains to be seen whether the upper house in Washington has the stomach to pass what is being seen as far-reaching legislation, as swiftly as the British. Once the scheme gets underway, those who participate must actively reduce their carbon emissions or face a number of different repercussions. For example, if they fail to reduce they will be forced to purchase additional allowances. Secondly, the government has said that they will publish a league table showing whether companies perform or underperform. Thirdly, those who actively reduce their emissions will surely realize other economies and efficiencies which those who do not will miss. Major companies, commerce and industry across the USA are paying particular attention to the problem of UK GHG emissions being addressed by the Carbon Reduction Commitment. Whatever happens in Britain may well be reflected within future plans in the USA. The Article Author: Daniel Stouffer has a lot of information about UK GHG emissions and how a visit to www.verisae.com will aid you. |
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