Business and the Environment

Ewan Boyd

Teesdale Environmental Consultants

Objectives

Background to climate change and relationship to business

Motivating business to ‘Act on CO2’ Strategies for action and overview of small

scale renewables - in other words – the ‘What, Why and How’

Are You Aware?……..

Please answer the quiz questions – there will be prizes!

The Climate Change Message

Atmospheric CO2 and it’s impacts known for centuries

CO2 rapidly rising Attempts to reduce the increase underway for

decades Global climate change having real impacts

today

Motivating business to act on CO2

Traditionally many businesses don’t see energy costs as important

Role of business advisors may be to persuade action on energy conservation

Energy effects every part of a business

Motivating business to act on CO2

Simple actions can yield financial returns Environmental awareness often popular with

staff Grab their attention – point out wasteful

practices

What motivates a business?

Reducing costs – the 20:5 ratio Improving sales – marketing a ‘green image’ Corporate Social Responsibility

What motivates an individual?

Delivering energy efficiency requires individual staff to get involved

Need to motivate business owners/staff by more than just profit

Carbon or £? Opportunity to link positive benefits at work and

at home

Persuading a business to act

Most individuals are happy to see action on greenhouse gas emissions

The business can benefit directly from immediate cost reductions

Longer term strategic benefits can also accrue But – efficiency needs to be a long term

commitment, so needs an adequate management system to be successful

Summary so far

Climate Change is an ethical issue for everyone, and a cost issue to business

Different types of motivation are needed to persuade business to act

All staff must be involved, not alienated Long term management approach required

Initiating an energy strategy

Systematic approach The 3 M’s, targets and benchmarking Recording energy use Resources Responsibility – Energy Champions

The Three M’s

Measure Monitor Manage

Measure

Initial audit required – what energy is being used, what are the costs etc.

Audit should cover all aspects of building, operations, equipment and staff

Audit process can be used to introduce energy campaign

Audit should identify areas of waste and no cost, low cost and higher cost measures

Monitor

Not ‘once only’ exercise Need for detailed data over time Should be done alongside other regular

business management tasks Depending on business type and scale

monitoring could be on daily, weekly or monthly basis

Manage

Fixed & variable costs – are utility bills fixed? Need to budget 3 M’s help you to understand why your

business spends money

Benchmarking – the next step

Comparing performance is important Establish targets to aim for Can relate performance to - Past record- Output- Others within your sector- External factors (eg weather)

Recording Energy Use

Data must be in comparable units – not based on cost

Energy measured in kilowatt hours – kWhs Simple spreadsheet can be very effective Results should be publicised as motivator

Resources

Business must have commitment if energy strategy to succeed

Must allow adequate resources (including staff time)

Should include a clear and well communicated strategy and policy

Regular reporting system can help drive commitment

A role for incentives

Responsibilities

Requires senior/board level involvement Energy policy must have ownership All staff need to be involved, but leaders need

to be identified and given responsibility – ‘Energy Champions’

Points to remember

Energy strategy must be lead by senior management but owned by everyone

Use imagination to enthuse staff ‘No cost’ measures can save 10% energy

costs Beware the ‘easy action/difficult outcome’

paradox

Green Run and the Energy Walk Round

The ‘Green Run’ – a simple idea to make energy saving actions routine

The Energy Walk Round – part of the regular monitoring regime