Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR)
SECR was introduced in April 2019 to simplify energy and carbon reporting and encourage qualifying organisations to implement energy efficiency measures that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This forms a mandatory part of your next Company Report for the year September 2019 to August 2020.
The scheme has introduced carbon reporting to more organisations than ever before, replacing the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC), when the Companies (Directors’ Report) and Limited Liability Partnerships (Energy and Carbon Report) Regulations 2018 came into force.
Qualification criteria can be found in the government guidelines which can be found here.
Possible changes to SECR in 2021
- The scope for SECR widened from 4,000 eligible business to 11,000 last year and it is likely to widen further in the coming year.
- Reporting regulations could change as the UK looks to meet its carbon targets, requiring more extensive and detailed reports.
- Businesses may be required to include more detailed reports regarding Scope 3 emissions. Read more about Scope 3 emissions here.
- Mandatory verification may be enforced to improve the accuracy of any reports completed in-house.
- It may become compulsory to use the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol) methodology in your reports.
- Businesses may be required to reduce their emissions or set targets based on any issues identified by SECR reporting, as opposed to the current voluntary system.
Ensure your business is SECR compliant
Zenergi can employ our expertise to ensure you’re fully compliant with these often-confusing obligations. Our SECR Management Service provides a dedicated project manager who will liaise with the representatives from all the necessary departments of your organisation to ensure that all aspects of SECR reporting are delivered in line with requirements. The service delivers both the full report and the Evidence Pack, in line with the recommended ‘best practice’ in the guidance for SECR, and will be legally compliant for review by any financial auditor.
Find out how Zenergi helped The Constellation Trust manage its carbon reporting commitments by reading the case study here.
Public Sector Requirements
Unfortunately, whilst the Public Sector are generally excluded from the requirements of SECR, any organisation of sufficient scale that files annual reports to the Charity Commission or Companies House is included in the requirements for SECR.
MATs are required to comply with SECR if they meet two or more of the following criteria:
• 250 or more employees
• Turnover of more than £36 million/year
• Balance sheet value over £18 million
Organisation would first have needed to file SECR within the Directors Report of the annual financial accounts or equivalent, commencing from the first full year of trading after 1 April 2019, and every year thereafter..
For the typical MAT, reporting now needs to take place for the financial year September 2020 to August 2021, to be filed by May 2022 at the latest.
The requirements of carbon reporting can be complex, but we can help you meet the compliance requirements while maximising your energy efficiency gains.
If you would like to get in touch with one of our energy consultants to discuss sustainability and compliance options for your business then you can call us on 023 8028 6300. Alternatively, you can fill out our call back form and we will get in touch as soon as possible.
Download our SECR brief here.
