Feature The Business Benefits Of Net Zero


Achieving net zero has become a key part of many businesses plans, and many of these are setting ambitious targets to reduce carbon emissions. However, many also struggle to know where to start, finding it difficult to get a true impression of their current emissions, and lack a clear understanding of which energy saving technologies can have the most impact.


1. Get to know your energy data Understanding exactly where and how you are using energy is crucial to reducing both costs and carbon. For example, a sophisticated energy management system will help you monitor power and gas consumption throughout your organisation, and the related emissions. The Business Energy Tracker revealed that the use of smart energy management tools saw an increase compared to 2022, with 56% of businesses implementing this measure, compared to 48% last year.


Depending on the nature of your business, sub-metering can also help to provide more granular detail about specific energy uses, such as machinery, lighting, or temperature control.


2. Plan your carbon reduction strategy When you have a greater understanding on how and where your energy is used, and the primary sources for your carbon emissions, you can make an informed decision about your energy management and carbon reduction strategy.


There are tools available that can help your business test the potential impact certain measures can have. For example, our Net Zero Calculator2


is free for any business to analyse their


current emissions and how they can reduce carbon, save money and reach net zero goals by adding in sustainability solutions.


The platform is able to give facilities managers a real view on the best options for their circumstances, assess the impact that their sustainability projects are already having, and then the best measures for the future. This means you can plan an effective and long-term carbon reduction strategy.


3. Invest in the most effective sustainability measures There are several ways that facilities managers can reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions, for example:  Energy efficiency - The Business Energy Tracker showed


that energy efficiency remains the top way to manage risk, with nearly two thirds (61%) of businesses saying they were implementing this measure, up from 58% last year. After all, the less energy you use, the less you will pay. And, the capital that this ultimately saves in reduced energy costs can be used to finance investment in further energy-saving or low-carbon technologies.


 Sustainable on-site generation - The Business Energy


Tracker revealed an increased willingness from businesses to invest in sustainable on-site generation, such as solar photovoltaic (PV), wind or combined heat and power (CHP). Last year, just over one in four (27%) businesses said this was in their plans - 2023 sees it rise to over a third (36%), with solar PV the most popular solution.


It’s easy to see why - as well as making an organisation less exposed to the fluctuations of the wholesale energy market, it also helps you to reduce carbon emissions, lower energy costs and provide an increased stability of supply.


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However, with budgets being increasingly stretched, it is important that any investment has a positive impact. Therefore, facilities managers need to consider using tools that will give them personalised emissions forecasts for each potential energy saving technology they are planning to invest in.


By having an informed approach to net zero, that is based on real insight and data, facilities managers will be able to plan ahead with more confidence, and ultimately achieve their carbon reduction goals.


1: https://npowerbusinesssolutions.com/businessconfidence 2: https://npowerbusinesssolutions.com/net-zero-calculator


In addition, building the case for investment during the current economic climate can also be challenging. That said, our research shows that businesses are recognising the importance and benefits of investing in sustainability measures, as they can help to improve resilience by effectively managing energy costs as well as reducing carbon emissions.


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