Aim of this survey

The Low Carbon and Renewable Energy Economy Survey (LCREES) is designed to collect information from businesses working within the low carbon and renewable energy economy. UK government departments and devolved administrations will use this information to assess and develop policies relating to green job creation, potential growth and investment opportunities both nationally and regionally.

What you need to know

To complete the survey, you will need the following information:

  • whether you are active in the low carbon and renewable energy economy
  • which low carbon and renewable energy sectors you have operated in
  • turnover, imports, exports, employment, capital assets and research and development, relating to those sectors

All information you provide is strictly confidential.

Survey information

  • Selection criteria: UK trading businesses registered for Value Added Tax (VAT) and/or Pay As You Earn (PAYE)
  • Population: UK businesses by Standard Industrial Classification (SIC)
  • Sample size: samples approximately 25,000 UK businesses
  • Frequency: annual

Dispatch date

1 February 2024

Return-by date

3 May 2024

Dispatch and return-by dates are a guide. They are subject to change because of national holidays and weekends.

Why you were selected

Your business has been selected from a directory of businesses in the UK that are registered for VAT and/or PAYE or with Companies House. Your response ensures we represent your industry.

The Low Carbon and Renewable Energy Economy Survey is conducted under the provisions of the Statistics of Trade Act 1947. Once selected, your business is legally obliged to comply. You cannot appeal your selection.

Why you have received this survey

We survey businesses of all sizes to ensure our statistics are representative of the UK economy. We select large businesses (those with 100 employees or more) for any relevant Office for National Statistics (ONS) business surveys because their information is so significant.

We select some small and medium businesses, usually for a set period of time, then replace them with other businesses from their industry. They are very important to us as their trading patterns are often very different to large businesses.

How to complete this survey

You will have received a letter that explains how to complete this survey online. Additionally, in the “Related downloads” section on the right-hand side of this page, you will find further information, including sector descriptions, to help you complete the questionnaire.

Please use your unique enrolment code to report your information.

Complete this survey online

Reminders are issued automatically, so you may receive one if you submit data just before or after the return date.

If you need help

If your question is not answered on this page, you may be able to find the answer in the About ONS business surveys section.

You can call us on +44 1633 651890. If you are asked for a three-digit survey ID, please enter 007.

Er mwyn gwneud cais am ffurflen Gymraeg (to speak to someone in Welsh): 0300 1234 921.