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 CO 2 and it’s impacts known for centuries CO 2 rapidly rising Attempts to reduce the increase underway for decades Global climate change having real impacts today

Motivating business to act on CO 2 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 CO 2 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