FACILITIES MANAGEMENT


WHAT A WASTE: HOW REDUCING CONSUMPTION CAN SAVE YOU


A


lmost a third of small firms in the UK highlight the cost of energy as a barrier to


the growth and success of their business. While the key to reducing bills is to use less energy, how easy is that to do in a business setting? In this article, we consider why reducing energy waste is easier than you may think.


A RISK MANAGEMENT APPROACH Most companies find it difficult to make decisions, or think long-term, during times of instability and risk. Businesses would, however, benefit by taking proactive and practical steps that will build a more sustainable future, futureproof their businesses and lead to new opportunities. Our work at EcoAct shows that climate


change-related risks can compound threats to businesses – including risk of non-compliance, loss of investment and market share, supply chain instability, and the inability to adjust to extreme weather events. Energy efficiency should be seen as a risk


management tool to deal with change. According 16


to the UK Office for National Statistics, 40% of business have cash reserves for three months or less. A strong energy efficiency strategy should help to mitigate these risks, while the money saved can be used to invest back in the business to grow other areas, such as staffing. As of April 2022, 54% of Fortune 500 companies


have overarching carbon emission reduction targets, yet only 13% have a specific energy efficiency goal. Based on EcoAct’s Climate Reporting and Performance Report in 2021, 66% of FTSE 100 companies are now committed to net-zero (an increase from 45% in 2020). With a growing push for change, the positive impact that businesses can make on our future is enormous – but positive intent needs to be turned into action.


RE-THINKING CURRENT SPACES As companies adjust to hybrid working and employees are choosing to work remotely, office occupancy is plummeting – with lows at about 10% in England at the end of 2021. At the same time, businesses are seeing employees going in and out


ENERGY MANAGEMENT - Autumn 2022


of isolation due to Covid-19, further reducing the need for office facilities to be at 100% levels. An energy efficient office can save up to


65% on energy bills. The most common action to reduce emissions currently being taken by businesses in the UK is switching to low emission lightbulbs (29%). However, businesses need to go beyond simply switching to LEDs or replacing their windows. For example, redesigning office spaces could make a big difference in energy saving, including adding insulation to the inside of external walls, maximising natural light to reduce dependency on artificial lighting, and using natural ventilation when possible. Some businesses may have limitations on how


they can refit current spaces, especially in the case of listed buildings. However, there are ways to ensure that energy-efficient savings comply with national and local laws. In 2019, EcoAct worked with one client to drive efficiency improvements, following the opportunities identified in their ESOS Compliance auditing activities undertaken in 2018. In the space of just


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