SPECIAL FEATURE
THE CASE FOR THE ROLE OF E AND SUSTAINABILITY MANAG Many organisations can become
disconnected in the way in which Energy and Sustainability is managed and significant environmental and financial benefits can be lost through corporate disconnects.
The following article written by Vicky Kenrick at International Sustainability Recruitment Consultancy, Allen & York, provides an insightful look at the development of the Energy and
Sustainability role within organisations. Beginning by
identifying how energy and sustainability issues are currently tackled in
organisations, Vicky then goes on to
explore the key benefits of employing a
dedicated Energy and Sustainability Manager, with reference to the triple bottom line as well as the strategic implications for a business.
14| SUSTAINABLE FM | APRIL 2011
ustainability has become a mantra for the 21st century. It embodies the promise of societal and business evolution towards a more equitable and wealthy world in which the natural environment and our cultural and corporate achievements are aligned. Within a business context, sustainability can accordingly be defined as meeting the needs of a firm’s direct and indirect stakeholders, without compromising its ability to meet the needs of future stakeholders as well. Putting sustainability at the forefront of business has for many companies (The John Lewis Group, The Cooperative, Marks & Spencer), created a positive brand association and increased consumer interest, equating to financial buoyancy. Put simply, sustainability is good for business.
S
It’s also good for the planet. Global issues surrounding energy security, unstable fuel prices and greenhouse gas emissions, as well as sustainable procurement, the purchase of raw materials from sustainable sources, ethical trade and corporate social responsibility (CSR), has led to organisations increasingly making the commitment to move towards a more sustainable, low carbon, energy efficient model. Across Europe, governments are focused on carbon reduction. For example France is planning to reduce its CO2
Vicky Kenrick
2020 with the Emissions Ordinum (emissions trading scheme) coming into force in 2012. The latest Cancun Climate Change Summit also resulted in global agreement that requires deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, the new ISO 26000 standard comes at a time when businesses are being judged on anything from their e-waste disposal and safety standards to their carbon emissions. In organisations worldwide the two disciplines, energy and sustainability, are gradually becoming combined in order to
“Put simply, sustainability is good for business”
enable an organisation to maintain and grow their economic, social and environmental capital base while actively contributing to sustainability in the political domain.
emissions by 75 percent, as laid out in the Energy Act 2005, and Germany has set a reduction target of 40 percent by
At present, several employees may be engaged with aspects of energy and sustainability across a global company, this is often not their main focus and sustainability and energy monitoring can become an ‘add-on’ to a much broader role, thus the focus is diluted. With the appointment of an Energy and Sustainability Manager a coordinated, strategic approach is provided, lead by a single individual who draws together all aspects of sustainability, energy
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52