A poll of the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) members has shown their feeling that Government carbon reduction policies focus a little too much on larger firms.
- 63% of IEMA members think Government should rationalise energy and carbon schemes affecting big business
- 53% recognise the case for financially supporting smaller business
IEMA has urged the Chancellor to offer tax breaks or loans to SMEs implementing energy savings measures, fuelling industry speculation that ESOS could be broadened to involve SMEs as well as larger companies.
SMEs in the UK
SMEs account for over 99% of all businesses in the UK and most of these are not affected by ESOS scheme at present.
Yet there is growing opinion that some medium-sized companies, especially those in industry/manufacturing, could benefit from the scheme.
ESOS Scheme Qualification
The ESOS (Energy Savings Opportunities Scheme) currently applies to large businesses in the UK, which are defined as
- Employs at least 250 people
- Or Employs less than 250 people but has an annual turnover in excess of 50 million euro (£38,937,777), and an annual balance sheet total in excess of 43 million euro (£33,486,489)
ESOS Deadline
Currently, the pressure is on those large companies the scheme does apply to, as the deadline for submission is fast approaching. Businesses must submit their assessments by 5th December 2015 and figures show that the majority have yet to comply.
ESOS Surveys
Business Juice’s Business Surveyor service enables qualifying companies to arrange their ESOS surveys quickly and easily in order to comply with the new legislation. They can arrange fully compliant site audits including fleet and process (manufacturing) surveys.
Our team of experts can also advise on a Company’s eligibility via other compliance routes (i.e. ISO 50001, Display Energy Certificates (DECs) or Green Deal Assessments (GDAs).
Tel: 0800 051 5327
Email: esos@businessjuice.co.uk