Glossary

As the renewable industry develops, so does the jargon surrounding it.

Climate Change Levy - this is a business tax on the use of energy. It applies to electricity, gas, coal and LPG but not to fuels such as oil, diesel and petrol, which are already taxed under the Hydrocarbon Fuels Act. Large users of energy can be given a reduction in their Climate Change Levy bill.

Climate Change Levy Agreements - users of large amounts of energy are given a reduction in their Climate Change Levy bill in return for achieving improvements in energy efficiency.

Global Warming Potential (GWP) - is used to compare the abilities of different greenhouse gases to trap heat in the atmosphere. GWPs are based on the radiative efficiency (heat-absorbing ability) of each gas relative to that of carbon dioxide (CO₂), as well as the decay rate of each gas (the amount removed from the atmosphere over a given number of years) relative to that of CO₂. The GWP provides a common measure, which allows climate analysts to assess the radiative impacts of various greenhouse gases into a uniform measure denominated in carbon or carbon dioxide equivalents.

Greenhouse Gases - are gases which contribute to the 'greenhouse effect', trapping heat from the sun in the earth's atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is the main greenhouse gas.

Kyoto Protocol - following the original Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was introduced and has now been ratified by over 140 countries. In 1997, the Kyoto Protocol was signed. This laid out the targets for the industrialised countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. The Kyoto Protocol was ratified February 2005 and came into force. Each country has a different target, but the total emission reductions amount to 5.7% below 1990 levels is required.

The Carbon Trust - is a not for profit company set up by the UK Government in 2001. Its purpose is to advise businesses on how to reduce the amount of energy they use. The Carbon Trust works with both large and small companies.

Keep checking this section for more updates.