Edward Hanna, head of energy efficiency and sustainability at Energy Action told Australian Printer the carbon tax is likely to increase printer’s energy costs by 10-15 per cent. However he adds if print shops actively undertake energy efficiency actions they can offset any financial impact.
He says, “The best way to reduce the impact of the carbon tax is to make good decisions on your energy use. This may mean understanding dollar cost of your energy use, getting control of your energy contract and taking advantage of some efficiency opportunities.”
Energy Action says its Carbon Adjustment Calculator enables businesses big and small to quickly understand how the scheme will influence them over a three year period and what its impact will be.
Ron Watts, chairman of Energy Action says, “There is a great deal of confusion in the Australian marketplace about how the carbon tax will affect all manner of Australian businesses, as the debate has largely surrounded Australia’s largest industries and companies.
“This free online calculator is available for all companies with the modelling allowing businesses to begin to more accurately predict cost changes derived from the carbon tax.”
The calculator prompts businesses to enter their gas and electricity consumption and length of billing period. From this information the calculator, using a set of listed assumptions, then approximates a business’ likely carbon expense for 2013, 2014 and 2015 energy bills.
Hanna continues, “There is a common misconception in the market that the tax will only affect Australia’s Top 500 companies. The reality is that Australia’s largest energy generators are within that group and will pass new costs down the line, eventually reaching consumers.
“For all companies, understanding your cost exposure is the first step in understanding what investment you should now be making to reduce your carbon footprint and energy expenditure.”
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