SECR is now underway. What should your organisation be doing already?

What does your business need to do to comply and benefit from SECR?

The Streamlined Energy & Carbon Reporting or SECR framework came into force in 2019. What do you need to do to make sure you’re prepared to comply?

The Basic Facts

• SECR has partially replaced the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme (also known as the Carbon Reduction Commitment).
• The number of organisations affected by SECR is almost 12,000, compared to just 4,000 for CRC: You might be included in SECR even if you were never in CRC.
• Qualification criteria have changed, so it’s important to check whether you are affected.

Are you captured by SECR?

All quoted companies (already covered by Mandatory Carbon Reporting, also known as Mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reporting) are required to report under SECR rules which have been altered from previous schemes.

Since April 2019 all unquoted companies and Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs) which meet two of the following criteria are also obliged to comply:

• At least 250 employees
• Annual Turnover greater than £36 million
• Annual Balance Sheet total greater than £18 million

If you’re already covered by Mandatory Carbon Reporting:

If so, from 1st April 2019 the requirements have changed. You will need to ensure that you know how this might affect your business. At Envantage we’re working with many large businesses to ensure that SECR does not interfere with business as usual.

If you’re new to SECR? (Mainly unquoted Companies and Partnerships):

Reporting Carbon Emissions may be new to you, but it‘s not new to us.

Here at Envantage we’ve been measuring greenhouse gas emissions for 14 years, working with companies, accountants and auditors since the inception of Mandatory Carbon Reporting to assure compliance for some of the largest business in the UK. Our experience is unrivalled, giving you peace of mind.

If you’re still unsure whether your organisation is affected, or if this is a surprise, contact us today to check the impact on you.

What will you have to do?

SECR came into force on 1st April 2019. In your first accounting period beginning after that date, you are obliged by the regulations to quantify your energy consumption from electricity, gases, and business transport. You will also be obliged to report energy against an intensity measurement and, after the first year, compare your performance with the previous year.

This information is required to be published in the Director’s report within your published accounts, for the transparent view of your stakeholders. You also need to publish narrative information about the energy efficiency measures you’ve taken during a reporting period.

Assuring your compliance

SECR is an important part of your obligations under the Companies Act 2006, and your published results can be subject to official audit by HMRC. Therefore it’s essential that you know the risks and ensure that your SECR compliance and reporting is in safe hands.

By choosing the right partner you can get on with your day job in the knowledge that your compliance is being dealt with professionally.

Can SECR be a benefit to you?

Although SECR is a mandatory scheme and there are strict rules to follow, it is aimed at reducing the carbon emissions of UK organisations. Embracing its values can be a benefit to you.

Publishing the required information helps your potential customers and your stakeholders to understand your approach to improving efficiency and sustainability, boosting your brand value. The information used in your submissions can also be invaluable in your marketing literature and tender processes, helping you to underline positive values and win more customers.

Many organisations also use the information required for mandatory submissions as a start point to measuring their own full Carbon Footprint. Why not take the next step and build a complete view of your Carbon impact? The brand benefits of this can be significant: ask us how we can help.

Is your organisation ready for SECR compliance?

SECR affects organisations from the first month of your first accounting year after 1st April 2019. It is not voluntary. Don’t leave things to the last minute.

If you qualify, you will need data collection routines in place to make sure you’re protected against the risks of non-compliance. As the 2019 accounting year progresses, help will become more scarce and expensive as experienced competent experts are in short supply. A managed process throughout your reporting year is the best approach to SECR. By being prepared and protected, you can avoid last-minute work and last-minute charges.

Envantage has a vastly experienced team and can also offer audit support: we’ve worked alongside auditors for many of our clients and will support you with HMRC if necessary, to provide the evidential records you will need in the event of any audit. You can rest assured that you have the right partners looking after you.

Do you have any questions? Protect yourself by asking now

Your Annual Report for financial years beginning on or after 1 April 2019 will need to contain your SECR information, so if you’re not certain what will be required, now is the time to check. Get in touch today to ensure that you’re going to be compliant.

Categories

• Carbon
• Compliance

Tags

• Regulatory & Reporting

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