32 SB1009 Market Intel 21/9/09 11:07 am Page 32
MARKET INTELLIGENCE
Nearly 25% of the UK’s carbon emissions come from commercial and
public buildings. Which is why a new survey revealing the apathy and
forgetfulness of workers makes such alarming reading
Save energy in the
office? Not likely...
N
ine out of ten people make
more effort to reduce
energy in the home than
the workplace. New research
reveals that despite good inten-
tions at home, the vast majority of
Britain’s employees confess to
wasting energy at work.
The study of 3,000 workers,
commissioned by EDF Energy,
uncovered a huge disparity when
it comes to cutting carbon
emissions. While more than three
quarters of people (77%) make a
concerted effort to reduce energy
consumption in the home, more
than half (55%) admit to not
making any effort at work.
Among the top offences for the
environmentally unfriendly work-
force were:
■
failing to turn off the air condi-
tioning (81%)
■
forgetting to turn off the photo-
copier (76%)
■
leaving lights (70%) and com-
puters (84%) on in meeting
rooms
■
not shutting down printers
(64%)
meeting the UK’s tough carbon Julie Allen, EDF Energy’s ment a carbon reduction strategy.
When asked about the difference reduction targets of 80% by 2050. energy efficiency manager, said: Employee engagement is vital to
in attitude, almost nine out of ten And despite these credit-crunched “The research shows that while ensuring that everyone does their
(87%) employees confessed to pri- times, a further 18% of those sur- most people really do want to save bit, but there are other practical
oritising saving energy at home veyed were not concerned about energy, and they can manage it measures – such as timers on
over the office. saving money for their employers. when at home, work tends to get lighting – that help to tackle the
The research found that four With forgetfulness the number in the way during the day. number one reason for wastage –
out of ten (42%) respondents one reason for failing to save ener- “It’s a real shame, because forgetfulness.”
believe the key reason for failing to gy at work, many staff are seeking taking small steps can make a real Businesses that are still hesitant
save energy at work was forgetful- more guidance from their employ- difference. For example, turning to embrace energy efficiency
ness, while for one in five (21%), ers, with nearly one in five (19%) off lights seems like such a small should think about the positive
the process feels futile as they people believing it is the responsi- thing to do, yet it’s important to impact that sustainable initiatives
don’t believe their actions make a bility of the management to save remember that lighting can repre- can have on attracting employees,
difference. Many forget that near- energy. Over half (59%) of those sents 20-40% of a company’s according to EDF Energy. A
ly 25% of the carbon emissions in surveyed don’t know about any electricity bill. recent Ipsos Mori survey found
the UK arise from commercial and energy efficiency initiatives in “To tackle the issue of environ- that 81% of employees prefer
public buildings, so making an their workplace, and one in three mental apathy in the workplace, working for a company with a
effort in the workplace means staff would like more guidance from businesses should work with their good environmental and social
can really make a difference in their managers or HR department. employees to create and imple- responsibility reputation.
32 October 2009 ❘ Sustainable Business
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