My Lords, I thank the Minister for her introduction to the order. I am glad that I am speaking to the simplified order in contrast to the prior order, and I hope that the Committee will not be detained very long.
The order coincides with the retirement of the government Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor Beddington. He argues that the evidence for climate change is unequivocal. The order implements the regulations to improve energy efficiency in organisations that are consumers of large amounts of electricity and, by improving energy efficiency, to reduce carbon emissions. The carbon reduction commitment scheme is the key driver for the UK to meet its domestic and international greenhouse emissions reduction targets. The climate change levy part of the policy instrument is levied on nearly all businesses that use electricity and gas.
The Minister has explained the over-burdensome nature of the original CRC order.
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