THE GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO THE STRENGTHENING THE ENERGY SAVINGS OPPORTUNITY SCHEME (ESOS) CONSULTATION
The anticipated Government Response to the consultation on strengthening the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) which proposed changes to increase the energy and carbon savings made under the scheme and align it to the UK’s net zero commitments, has now been published.
Regulations for the Phase 3 changes are intended to be brought into force ahead of the 5 December 2023 compliance deadline. The proposals to be adopted in Phase 3 on a mandatory basis relate to:
- A standardised template for including compliance information in the ESOS report, generally comprising ESOS information the participant should already have available
- The reduction of the 10% de minimis exemption to up to 5%
- The addition of an energy intensity metric in ESOS reports
- Requirement to share ESOS reports with subsidiaries
- Requirement for ESOS reports to provide more information on next steps for implementing recommendations
- Requirement for participants to set a target or action plan following the Phase 3 compliance deadline, on which they will be required to report against for Phase 4
- Collection of additional data for compliance monitoring and enforcement.
The Government and the Environment Agency will work with ESOS Lead Assessor Registers to identify which changes could be made to improve the quality of ESOS audits in Phase 3 through more active monitoring of ESOS lead assessors’ work.
The addition of a net zero element to ESOS audits will not become a requirement until Phase 4. However, ESOS participants could adopt it in Phase 3 on a voluntary basis.
READ THE GOVERNMENT RESPONSE IN FULL