The Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) provides property owners with a benchmark from which to measure their energy efficiency, one expert has claimed.

Don Jordison, managing director at property investment firm Threadneedle, said that the CRC provides the property industry with a "legislative framework with teeth", when previously there was little guidance.

Launched in April 2010, the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme is a mandatory programme that applies to large private firms and public organisations in the UK.

Bodies are required to purchase allowances in accordance with their emissions and any money made from the scheme will be given back to participants based on their performance.

Mr Jordinson said that from the perspective of the property industry "owners will now be in a position to know how to design, build, refurbish and manage their properties to be as energy efficient as possible".

He added that the CRC came at a time when the industry was under economic pressure, meaning that there is a "parallel between the legislative need for lower energy and the need amongst occupiers and owners to get their bills down".