Flicking the switch: the pressing issue of getting UK business energy efficient

With the disappointment of Copenhagen turning into history and the economic situation still tough, there is growing concern that not enough is being achieved to get businesses more energy efficient. But those that have ’switched on’ say they are reaping the benefits.
Business spoke out forcefully, last month, after the failure of Copenhagen to deliver a binding global agreement on climate change. The CBI called for urgent action from Government and business in order to maintain the much-needed momentum to get a deal done internationally, while back at home getting businesses more energy efficient.

Urgent action is required if we are to hit Government emissions reduction targets, ensure a future independent supply of energy, and manage rising energy costs, the business lobby group said – a statement backed up by environmental groups and sustainability advice services, such as Business Link and Business in the Community’s Princes Mayday Network on Climate Change.

The CBI’s Climate Change Tracker – a tool developed by the group to track progress against the priorities set out in the CBI’s 2007 report ‘Climate Change: Everyone’s Business’ – found that 2009 saw a significant lack of progress in energy efficiency. Government plans for reducing energy demand in new and existing homes and businesses continue to lag behind, it found, showing that for the third year running, policies to save energy are off track.

A survey of 2000 businesses by Enworks, a business support programme coordinating environmental advice and training in the North West, found similar results with only one fifth of companies surveyed planning to make any environmental improvements in 2010. This figure is down on 2009, when one third of businesses took some resource efficiency measures.

“It’s very disappointing,” says Enworks director Todd Holden. “We think the drop in activity is probably due to the tough economic climate – companies have cut back on staff and don’t have time for ‘extra’, more strategic things.”

With peak oil and an energy crisis looming within the next five to 10 years, every business should look at its energy use in particular, as a matter of urgent risk management, say environmental advice organisations.

Green Wise Business