Annex A
ENVIRONMENTAL COSTS AND BENEFITS
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
1. The Digital Television Action Plan assessed
the impact of switchover on the UK's energy usage. This work has
been informed by the Government's Market Transformation Programme
(MTP), which publishes detailed projections of energy-using products,
and by separate policy impact studies carried out by the DTI.
The conclusion is that switchover might lead to an increase in
energy use and contribute to climate change.
2. DCMS, DTI and Defra economists have modelled
the total energy use impact of increased numbers of set-top boxes
based on current usage and equipment available in today's market.
They estimate that the increase in consumer energy use after completing
digital switchover in 2012 is likely to be between 966 GWh and
2,816 GWh per annum, and represents a total cost (including the
net carbon cost) of between £75 million and £218 million
per annum. The increase is equivalent to a 0.37% increase in domestic
electricity consumption.
3. This is partially offset by a reduction
in transmitter power usage of 185 Gigawatt hours pa (digital transmission
uses less power than analogue).
4. Most of the additional energy usage is
attributable to the rapid increase in the take up of set-top boxes,
particularly for second sets, which would not be otherwise converted
until replaced. The assessment of energy impacts is based on equipment
available in today's market, but substantial gains could be achieved:
— through improvements in design of
set-top boxes. As transistors get smaller in highly integrated
chips, they take less power. Dual function chips use less power.
Standby power use can also be moderated by redesigning the way
set-top boxes access on-air software upgrades (particularly the
way chip sets use power);
— by changes to the market for digital
television sets, for example the emergence of and development
of a market for portable iDTVs; and
— through promotion of energy efficiency
standards for new equipment and by encouraging equipment suppliers
to adhere to the existing EU Code of Conduct on the energy efficiency
of digital television services.
5. If improvements do materialise, then
the overall impacts could be below the lower end of forecasts.
Greater adherence to the EU Code of Conduct on Energy Efficiency
of Digital TV Service Systems will be important in controlling
this impact. If conformance to the Code were the norm, the resultant
electricity savings would dramatically improve the NPV of switchover
calculated through the Cost Benefit Analysis. DTI/DCMS/Defra will
continue to identify and address these issues by collecting and
verifying market and technical data, engaging with manufacturers,
including through the Market Transformation Programme, stakeholders
and other industry bodies. There will also be a full communication
programme on energy use implications to consumers, manufacturers
and public bodies. Where equipment is procured by the public sector,
including potentially as part of the targeted assistance scheme,
there will be opportunities to encourage more energy efficient
products.
WASTE DISPOSAL
6. All electrical equipment such as televisions
and VCRs would be disposed of in the natural course of events.
Switchover itself does not require any equipment to be thrown
away. However, the timing of switchover may affect the timing
of disposal of some equipment such as rarely used televisions
that people choose not to adapt. Switchover is likely to accelerate
the purchase of digital adaptor boxes which will themselves fail
in due course and require disposal.
7. DTI/DEFRA will undertake research to
model any changes in patterns of waste disposal generated by switchover.
DTI/DCMS will continue to work with Digital UK to ensure that
consumer communications do not encourage unnecessary disposal
of television equipment, and that information about correct disposal
is available around switchover in each region. Action by manufacturers
and retailers and better information for consumers can ensure
that more equipment sold in the next few years will be ready for
switchover, which will reduce disposal at switchover. We will
continue to encourage manufacturers and retailers to develop and
promote equipment that is switchover-compliant, has a longer effective
lifespan, and corresponds to best practice on hazardous substances
and recovery.
8. Any additional waste electrical equipment
produced as a result of the switchover will be disposed of subject
to the requirements of the EU Waste Electrical and Electronic
Equipment (WEEE) Directive. The WEEE regulations, which implement
the Directive, are due to come into force in June 2006 and make
producers of electrical goods financially responsible for the
collection, treatment and recycling of waste electrical and electronic
equipment. As any additional equipment disposed of as a direct
result of switchover will be treated and recycled according to
the standards of the WEEE Directive, the environmental impact
will be minimised. The Government is currently consulting on draft
implementing Regulations and accompanying non-statutory Guidance
with a view to transposing the Directive in early 2005. Local
authorities do not have obligations under the WEEE Directive and
will be able to pass any WEEE they separately collect to producers
for treatment and recycling.
9. A more detailed assessment of direct
environmental consequences of digital switchover is set out in
the Regulatory and Environmental Impact Assessment.
| 
