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[April 2007]
Ceramics Companies Reduce Carbon Footprints
Member companies of the British Ceramic Confederation have again led the way in helping to fulfill Government 'climate change' objectives by achieving further significant reductions in energy use and carbon dioxide emissions – despite the fact the the stringent targets set have inevitably become, by design, ever more difficult to meet.. Under the terms of the Climate Change Agreements entered into between energy intensive users and government in 2001, UK ceramics manufacturers are committed to a minimum 10% energy reduction by 2010. At the conclusion of 'milestone year 3', the results of which were confirmed by Defra towards the end of March, all participating BCC members were shown to have performed in such a way as to be duly re-certified for an 80% rebate on the Climate Change Levy with effect from 1st April, 2007. This success build upon equally impressive outturns in the first and second milestone years, 2002 and 2004.
The manufacture of ceramics necessitates high energy consumption because the energy itself effectively becomes a part of the finished article, having transformed other raw materials into the durable end result, whether it be a cup, saucer, tile, housebrick or one of the myriad technical products which are the key to successful manufacturing in a wide range of other industries. As an energy intensive user, the UK industry can qualify for rebate from the Climate Change Levy providing it meets the rigorous energy saving targets. Its success in doing so is the result of significant investment in new plant and the application of challenging energy saving measures to reduce its carbon footprint. The ceramic industry's latest performance is further evidence of BCC members' commitment to help the UK meet its obligations in respect of the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental impacts.
ENDS