FACILITIES MANAGEMENT
TRANSFORMING NET ZERO PLEDGES TO CREDIBLE SUSTAINABILITY GOALS
Firms seeking UK public sector contracts worth more than £5m a year now need to publish credible carbon reduction plans. Mark Doyle, corporate accounts manager at Gazprom Energy, explains what steps a business can take to create a net-zero pledge with a credible roadmap to sustainability
F
rom this September, any firm seeking UK public sector contracts worth more than £5million
a year must publish ‘clear and credible carbon reduction plans’ before their application is considered. The move is the first of its kind and will apply to all firms bidding, whether they win or not. However, Gazprom Energy’s research of medium and large businesses shows that while two-thirds (65%) have a sustainability plan in place, only 40% have a zero-carbon pledge. To create a net-zero pledge with a credible
roadmap to sustainability, businesses will need to explore how they can reduce their impact on the environment and implement realistic plans, measurable actions and accountability. So what steps can businesses take?
BENCHMARK ENERGY USAGE A business cannot develop a realistic net-zero pledge without knowing what its energy usage is. Bench- marking a business’ position begins with a compre- hensive energy audit that identifies where energy is being used and determining what efficiencies can be made. It will then be possible to develop a roadmap to sustainability that is punctuated with achievable and viable goals. Some businesses sub-contract external auditors to complete this process, but effective energy audits can also be completed in-house.
REDUCE ENERGY CONSUMPTION With a set of straightforward measures, businesses can bring their energy consumption down without interfering with day-to-day operations. Cheap and simple strategies, such as replacing lightbulbs with LED alternatives and moving towards
paperless working, make a considerable difference. Improving insulation, and installing timers or sensors for lights and heating, can also help.
OFFSET UNAVOIDABLE EMISSIONS Carbon offsetting is a compelling choice for businesses that are early in their sustainability journey or those that are not yet able to make the switch to renewable energy. Businesses opting for this option invest in environmental projects of their choosing to balance – or offset – their carbon footprints. Projects are generally undertaken in developing countries and take a variety of forms, from clean energy generation to large-scale planting of foliage. Carbon offsetting is an effective starting point
that enables businesses to gain some quick and early wins and establish a strong foundation from which more impactful measures can be taken. However, this alone is not enough as part of a long-term plan towards net-zero emissions.
SWITCH TO RENEWABLES Even where a business has taken every available step to limit consumption, if the energy they do use is derived from fossil fuels, the environment continues to pay a price. One of the most powerful strategies a business can
apply in their journey towards carbon neutrality is to instead obtain their energy from renewable sources. Renewable electricity has become more accessible
in recent years and Renewable Electricity Guarantees of Origin (REGOs) provide assurance that the power comes from a renewable source. These can be used to demonstrate green credentials to customers, prospects and other players within the supply chain.
Renewable gas can also be sourced for businesses
that rely more on this type of fuel. It is created as part of a scientific process that involves breaking down organic material to produce bio-methane. Today, renewable gas does represent a more expensive option, but as demand increases across the business landscape, this may soon translate to lower prices.
ONSITE POWER GENERATION AND BATTERY STORAGE With a strategy in place to move away from fossil fuels and with energy savings measures starting to make an impact, businesses may look to explore more significant investments such as generating power on-site and developing battery storage capabilities. Although these options can be costly, these measures remove pressure from the National Grid and give businesses more control over their journey to carbon neutrality. Any surplus power generated can also be sold to create additional revenue streams.
INVOLVE THE WORKFORCE The most effective sustainability strategies emerge from businesses that have nurtured a workforce culture that is committed to carbon neutrality. With more and more people becoming anxious about climate change, it is also one of the easiest cultures to foster. Using a combination of training, sharing best
practices and even setting energy consumption reduction goals with incentives provided, sustainability goals become easier to achieve.
Gazprom Energy
www.gazprom-energy.co.uk
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