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FAQs About Our SECR Compliance Services
Here are some of the most common questions about Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting.
SECR is a mandatory UK framework for energy and carbon reporting. It was introduced to encourage large companies to report their energy use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, helping them to become more energy efficient and reduce their carbon footprint.
SECR is mandatory for all quoted companies of any size. For large unquoted companies and large limited liability partnerships (LLPs), it is mandatory if they meet at least two of the following criteria: more than 250 employees, an annual turnover of over £36 million, or an annual balance sheet of over £18 million.
The deadline for submitting a SECR report is within three months of your company’s financial year-end. The report must be submitted to Companies House as part of your company’s annual financial report.
A SECR report must include a company’s annual energy use, associated GHG emissions, and at least one emissions intensity ratio. It must also include a narrative describing the energy efficiency measures taken in the reporting period and the methodology used for the calculations.
- Scope 1: Direct emissions from sources owned or controlled by your company, such as a company vehicle fleet.
- Scope 2: Indirect emissions from the generation of purchased electricity, heat, steam, or cooling.
- Scope 3: All other indirect emissions that occur in your company’s value chain, such as business travel in personal cars (grey fleet) or waste disposal. While not mandatory for all companies, these are highly recommended for comprehensive reporting.
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are not legally required to file a SECR report. However, many SMEs find that they are asked to provide emissions data to larger companies in their supply chain, which they are required to report. Voluntary reporting is encouraged as it prepares businesses for future regulations.
To calculate your company’s emissions, you must convert your energy usage data (e.g., kWh of electricity, litres of fuel) into CO₂e (carbon dioxide equivalent) using government-published conversion factors. It is recommended that a widely recognised standard like the GHG Protocol be used.
Yes, a consultant can provide a fully managed service for SECR reporting. A dedicated SECR consultancy can help with everything from determining eligibility, collecting and validating data to performing the necessary calculations and compiling the final report. Outsourcing allows you to save time and ensure the report is accurate and compliant with all regulations.
The main difference lies in their scope and purpose. SECR is a mandatory annual reporting framework for large companies and LLPs, requiring them to report on their energy use and emissions in their financial reports. ESOS (Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme), on the other hand, is a mandatory energy audit scheme that requires large organisations to conduct a full energy audit every four years to identify cost-effective energy saving measures. While both aim to improve energy efficiency, SECR is a reporting requirement, while ESOS is an auditing requirement.
The time it takes to complete a SECR report can vary significantly depending on the size and complexity of your organisation. It might take a few weeks for a small to medium-sized eligible company with a straightforward energy profile. However, it could take several months for a larger, multi-site organisation with complex data, particularly if data collection processes are not yet established. Outsourcing to a specialist can often accelerate this process and ensure a timely submission.