Written question asked by Robert Smith (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 16 November 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 21 November 2005. It was answered by Elliot Morley (Labour) on Wednesday, 30 November 2005 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Energy Efficiency

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 19 October 2005, Official Report, column 1054W, on energy efficiency (commercial sector), what (a) the cost effective potential and (b) the technical potential for carbon savings in the commercial and services sector through energy efficiency measures is by (i) 2010 and (ii) 2020, expressed in megatonnes of carbon.

Answer: The information is as follows:"(a) 2010: The cost effective potential (10 per cent.) is around 2MtC.""2020: This figure is more difficult to estimate but may also be around the 10 per cent. level, with the draw-down of existing measures generally balanced by the influx of new ones, as has happened in the past. The corresponding carbon figure may be somewhat under 2MtC, but the precise value will depend on the impact of future carbon reduction policies in this particular sector, the sector's underlying growth rate and any structural changes occurring within it.""(b) The current technical potential is approximately 6MtC. The figures for 2010 and 2020 are likely to be similar, perhaps slightly lower in 2020 if emissions fall as planned."

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 440 c507W;440 c507W; 30822
Session: 2005-06
Related items: Energy Efficiency (Commercial Sector)
Wednesday, 19 October 2005
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Conservation Carbon Energy Service industries
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk