Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps the Government is taking to encourage high street retailers to reduce their carbon footprint.

Achieving clean growth, while ensuring an affordable energy supply for businesses is at the heart of the UK’s Industrial Strategy, and the Government is taking steps to encourage high street retailers to reduce their carbon footprint. Minimum energy efficiency standards and energy labelling regulations for energy-using products are making lighting and appliances that they buy more energy efficient. The Energy Technology List encourages high street retailers to invest in the most energy efficient plant and machinery, as part of the Enhanced Capital Allowance (ECA) for energy-saving technologies. Through energy efficiency programmes such as the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) and Climate Change Agreements (CCAs), high street retailers are encouraged to make improvements to the way in which they use energy.

We also require certain companies to measure and report their energy use and carbon emissions. This helps them to lower their energy costs, gain a better understanding of exposure to the risks of climate change, and demonstrate leadership to strengthen their green credentials in the marketplace. We have recently consulted on proposals to introduce a new and streamlined energy and carbon reporting framework.

Government provides support to businesses, public sector and non-profit organisations in meeting the cost of installing renewable heat technologies through the non-domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI). The scheme is designed to bridge the gap between the cost of fossil fuel heat sources and renewable and low carbon heat alternatives through financial support for owners of participating installations.

The Government is also committed to ensuring that small businesses in the country are offered a smart meter by the end 2020. Smart metering will give high street retailers access to the information they need to understand and manage their energy use better, save money on bills and reduce carbon emissions.

There is also a role for behaviour change in emissions reduction. The government has published guidance to help businesses, especially SMEs, identify simple measures like not having doors propped open for convenience, which can help save up to 30% of heating costs.