BSEE-JAN22-PG08.qxp_Layout 1 08/12/2021 11:17 Page 8
BSEE
A new report has found that only 18% of businesses have accurate measures in place to identify how the challenges of the pandemic have affected their businesses’ environmental impact
ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS
Businesses failing to effectively monitor their environmental impact
consultancy, SCALA, found that almost a third of businesses (32%) have no measures in place to monitor the total impact of their operations.
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2020 was largely cancelled out by an increase in personal usage, as the Government’s work from home advice increased the nation’s reliance on personal gas and electricity, according to research by business energy supplier Gazprom Energy. During 2020, while various lockdown restrictions were in place, average workplace electricity consumption across all industries fell by 6% versus 2019. Annual gas consumption across all sectors also fell by 1% for the same period.
A
n overall fall in workplace energy
consumption as a result of UK lockdowns in
he industry research on supply chain
sustainability, conducted by leading supply chain and logistics
This means that thousands of businesses across the UK have no idea of the extent of their current carbon footprint.
Due to enforced lockdowns in 2020, UK businesses had to largely migrate to online sales, with 89% of non-grocery respondents reporting a ‘significant increase’ in online sales. This shift to online resulted in additional transport, packaging, and warehousing needs – many of which had an additional, sometimes- significant environmental impact. Up to 67% of businesses surveyed reported an increase in transport requirements, 34% reported an upsurge in the usage of warehouse space – exacerbating the already- serious nationwide shortage – and 50% said they have seen a rise in packaging costs.
Commenting on the research findings, John Perry, managing
director at SCALA, said: “The past year and a half has had a seismic impact on businesses and their supply networks. Whilst many consumers stayed indoors due to the ongoing complications of the pandemic, businesses worked hard to meet the increased demands for home deliveries and online purchasing, understandably prioritising business critical decisions over any real consideration for their environmental impact.
“Whilst our research has revealed that 18% of businesses across consumer product sectors have measures in place to understand how the pandemic has affected their businesses’ environmental impact, this is simply not enough. “The problem companies have when it comes to addressing the sustainability of their business and supply chain is getting started.
“Mapping the supply chain, measuring their emissions and identifying the specific areas of their organisation where environmental action can be prioritised is a great place to start.
Further positive actions might include reducing waste packaging, increasing vehicle fills and improving vehicle efficiencies.
“As the world’s attention turned to COP26 in Glasgow in November, more will needed to inform businesses on the steps they can take to monitor and reduce their emissions, which may have significantly increased over the past 18 months. Businesses clearly need direction and support in mapping their footprint and identifying issues within the supply chain is a great place to start.”
Net business energy savings neutralised by athome consumption
Despite this perceived fall, many businesses may have unknowingly experienced an increase in total net energy consumption, when accounting for a remote workforce – with 37% more personal energy used in 2020, due to increased reliance on home lighting, heating and the use of home appliances while working from home. The business energy supplier encourages organisations to educate themselves on their true total consumption by taking employees’ working from home consumption into account, and has launched an online Net Energy Consumption Calculator to make this process easier.
“The misconception of a drop in total business energy consumption has the potential to distort some organisations’ advancement
8 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER JANUARY 2022
towards sustainability targets. It may give business leaders a ‘false reading’ of progress if the broader combined consumption picture isn’t considered,” says Daniel Sullivan, head of UK sales at Gazprom Energy.
He adds: “Energy-saving measures that are present in the workplace may not be present in the home, such as energy-efficient lighting and smart metering, meaning efficiency is lost as a result of hybrid working. Businesses also benefit from economies of scale when their workforce is in one location using shared heating, cooling and energy for appliances and equipment. “Although a net increase in energy consumption is inevitable for many businesses due to more hybrid working, there are ways that individuals can reduce their
consumption depending on their situation and businesses should be actively communicating these to their employees.”
Gazprom Energy has shared some best practice business energy saving advice on its website.
Read the latest at:
www.bsee.co.uk
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