A report by Sustainable Energy Ireland claims that negotiated energy agreements have the potential to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by twice as much as a carbon tax alone.
The report is the result of an 18-month study - in which 26 companies took part - aimed at testing the application of negotiated agreements with industry in Ireland. Negotiated agreements can be made between firms, or groups of firms, and government, and aim to achieve substantial reductions in energy use and emissions.
The National Climate Change Strategy proposes the introduction of a carbon tax on all fossil fuels. The SEI says negotiated agreements can mitigate the negative impact of such a tax on industry's competitiveness.
SEI is a Government-funded body charged with promoting and assisting the development of sustainable energy.
