Research highlights the need for robust plans to meet new MEES and ESOS requirements
The latest YouGov research has revealed that 61% of C-suite executives and energy managers in the private sector have not set out a target to reduce their carbon emissions - despite the fact that carbon savings nearly always mean financial savings.
Based on the responses of 848 C-suite executives and energy managers this result is all the more surprising given the fact that 73% rank sustainability as being very important for their organisation. The findings have been released by Veolia, the UK’s leading resource management company, to coincide with the launch of their ‘Tackling Energy Efficiency in Buildings’ whitepaper.
Among respondents with an energy spend of over £2 million per year 45% thought the condition of their buildings were just OK or poor. Yet investments in improving energy efficiency provide a quick return on investment in the form of energy and utilities cost savings.
With the impact of Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) and Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) Phase 2 regulations coming into force, the research highlights the importance for businesses to develop robust long-term energy efficiency plans. This will be further emphasized by the government plans to require businesses to report their CO2 emissions from 2019.
Nick Painter, Head of Energy Efficiency at Veolia UK, said:
Building efficiency plays a significant role in improving productivity yet this latest research backs our experience that sustainability aims are not always matched by action. We know that real benefits come from adopting a site wide approach and going beyond small retrofits such as LED lighting.
Under-investment, both financial and time-related, is leaving a yawning gap between the ideals of the corporate sustainability policy and the reality on the ground. We hope this report acts as a wake-up-call for business and spurs quantifiable improvements that move the debate beyond words and into action. More importantly businesses are missing out on significant cost savings as energy prices continue to rise – savings that will make a positive impact on their bottom line and their CR reports.
Tackling Energy Efficiency in Buildings
Bridging the gap between rhetoric and action
Veolia’s energy services are specifically designed to identify the carbon footprint of sites and buildings, reduce consumption and utilise sources of clean energy. Backed by Hubgrade, Veolia’s smart energy management centre, the services include energy and environmental auditing, operational energy efficiency and strategies that cover the application of modern control technology, installation and management of energy plant. These use the latest building management systems, hot water, HVAC, lighting, energy procurement, insulation, lighting, refrigeration, combined heat and power, sustainable energy, compressed air, demand-side management and bill validation. Combining these with effective maintenance and smart metering, keeps savings on track, and can also guarantee them and provide a solid investment business case for building users.
The White Paper, ‘Tackling Energy Efficiency in Buildings’ is based on research from the responses of 848 C-suite executives and energy managers.