Carbon upset

IF the commercial property sector is confused about carbon offsetting a European Court of Justice ruling this month will add to the lack of understanding.

The ruling concerns a German case about an onsite energy system which supplies Leipzig airport and commercial operators at the airport – and nobody else. That, said the judges, could be a monopoly and be contrary to European law.

And that, say some experts, could put the kibosh on the UK Government's strategy for zero-carbon buildings.

A central part of the UK Government's drive to a zero-carbon building industry is the use of on-site power generation through Energy Service Companies (ESCOs).