Timeline for Mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reporting

The Government consultation on mandatory GHG reporting in Directors’ Reports closed on 17 October 2012. So what is the timeline from now?

October to December 2012: Regulations Finalised

Firstly, over the next few months Defra will consider the consultation responses and finalise the Regulations. This will take into account all feedback gathered from all respondents, such as Ecometrica – we issued our response to the draft Regulations on September 10th, 2012.

December 2012: Consultation on Guidance

Next, around Christmas time, it is expected that there will be a further round of consultation on the guidance that will accompany the Regulations. This makes sense, as the Regulations themselves are very succinct, and further explanatory guidance is needed to clarify the reporting requirements. As with the consultation on the draft Regulations, Ecometrica will be issuing a response in due course.

January to March 2013: Regulations Become Law

After that, it is expected that the Regulations will be laid before Parliament and become law in the first quarter of 2013.

7 April 2013 Onwards: Regulations In Effect

The proposed starting date for the Regulations is for reporting years ending after 6 April 2013 (e.g. for a company whose reporting year ends on 7 April 2013 – they will have to report their GHG emissions in their next Directors’ Report). However, it’s worth noting that the proposed start date for the Regulations is still to be confirmed following the consultation, and may be pushed back until October 2013.

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