‘The Company’s aim is to be a world leader in the design and manufacture of monitoring and control equipment for energy efficient and environmentally aware boiler operators.’

Environmental issues are high on the political agenda. Of all the environmental issues climate change is by far the highest profile. It is generally accepted that the carbon dioxide (CO2) produced when burning fossil fuels is the single largest contributor to climate change. Greenhouse gases such as CO2 let the radiated heat from the sun reach the planet’s surface and then prevent the absorbed heat from escaping. Almost everyone has heard of the Kyoto Treaty, an agreement ratified by over 170 countries, that sets targets to reduce CO2 emissions by an average of 5.2% between 2008-2012 compared to 1990 levels. 

Pressure groups and lobbyist have forced the Government to take measures to encourage all energy users to reduce their ‘Carbon Footprint’. A ‘Carbon Footprint’ is a measure of the amount of CO2 produced by an individual, household or organisation over a period of time, usually a year.

The Carbon Trust is a private company set-up by the Government whose mission is to accelerate the move to a low carbon economy by developing commercial low carbon technologies and working with business and the public sector to reduce carbon emissions.

A government white paper ‘Meeting the Energy Challenge’ published in 2007 sets out how the UK will meet its commitments for reducing CO2 emissions made under the Kyoto Treaty.

A mandatory ‘Cap and Trade’ scheme will be introduced for organisations with high-energy usage. ‘Cap and Trade’ schemes set individual capped values for CO2 emissions; if the capped value is exceeded then credits have to be purchased from either brokers or other organisations that have improved their performance and stayed beneath their capped value. These organisations account for about 10% of the UK’s total CO2 emissions and include manufacturing companies with industrial boilers. They will have to declare their Carbon Footprints and make additional efforts to reduce their CO2 output.

It therefore makes sense for organisations to look at ways to reduce their emissions. Any increase in fuel efficiency will not only reduce fuel costs but will also result in a proportional reduction in CO2 output. In order to encourage investment in energy saving technologies the Government has compiled the Energy Technology List (ETL), this is a list of approved energy saving related products. The Enhanced Capital Allowance Scheme (ECA) allows UK companies to claim tax benefits when purchasing and installing equipment from this list.

ETC products are listed on the Energy Technology List.