Evaluation of the CRC energy efficiency scheme
The final report on the evaluation of the CRC energy efficiency scheme (CRC).
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This is the final report on the evaluation of the CRC energy efficiency scheme (CRC). The work was conducted by CAG Consultants, in partnership with Carbon Trust, Databuild and the Imperial College Business School.
The CRC is a DECC scheme that is designed to drive energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions in large non-intensive energy users, both public and private sector, across the UK by the uptake of costs-effective energy efficiency opportunities and through a combination of reputational and financial drivers. The CRC operates in phases: phase 1 of the scheme ran from April 2010 to the end of March 2014.
The aim of the evaluation was to understand the actual impact of the CRC (in contrast to the expected impacts) in driving action on energy use and to understand which elements of the policy have or have not worked. The four main objectives were to:
- assess the extent that the CRC has delivered reductions in emissions by the take-up of energy efficiency measures
- identify the barriers and drivers to energy efficiency and assess the extent to which the CRC has overcome barriers and emphasized drivers
- assess whether the CRC has delivered in a cost-effective manner; and
- identify how the CRC has been delivered and whether it has been administered effectively
The research also examined a number of wider themes including: how energy use is managed by organisations, what steps they may have taken or considered to improve energy efficiency in recent years and which factors influenced their decision making processes.
The evaluation involved a quantitative survey, in-depth qualitative interviews and econometric analysis, and these findings were drawn on for the synthesis report, along with desk research.