Your business is consuming too much energy. What’s the best way to reduce it?

For scope 3 sustainability, it will be mandatory to get an energy foot print of every product. How do you do that? Measure electricity consumption at every stage and combine data with IT systems of the factory. It’s beyond audit!!

Energy use is typically correlated to activity levels across the value chain, so to reduce energy you need to look deeper than trying to cut your utility bill. Of course you need to start there and make sure your buildings are as energy efficient as they can be, and that any equipment using in manufacturing or operational processes are upgraded to low-energy consumption where practical. But the big changes will happen when you move beyond looking for a better way (energy wise) of doing what you do today, and consider eco-design approaches to re-imagining your products / business model. This is not easy or short-term, but can start with questions like "How do I meet my customer's need with a process that is resource / energy neutral?"

Management guru Peter Drucker once said "what gets measured, get managed". 1. measure your current use 2. establish relevant benchmarks of peers 3. craft a strategy and share actionable items with key stakeholders on what can be done to reduce energy consumption Resource efficiency measures such as energy efficiency is a great way to achieve both environmental impact and financial savings. It should have broad support!

Most companies will probably measure their Scope 2 emissions (purchased electricity) and account for this in their annual reports. Some uses live dashboards in offices to remind employees of their consumption patterns.

It is often said, you cannot change what you cannot measure, so setting a baseline for energy use is a good first step. There are many industry specific considerations depending on the type of business you are operating. Some primary contributors could be energy intensive manufacturing processes or energy inefficient commercial office space. Identify the major sources of energy intensity and possibly ask if your energy provider can benchmark your usage to peers with similar commercial operations for a better understanding outliers.

Implementing energy-saving practices before transitioning to renewables is crucial. This optimizes resources, making renewable adoption more effective and cost-efficient. Immediate positive environmental impact complements renewables. Culturally, it fosters sustainability, aiding a smooth transition. Gradual infrastructure upgrades allow better planning. Enhanced compliance with regulations and community engagement builds trust for future renewable initiatives. In essence, prioritizing energy-saving practices sets the foundation for a seamless and sustainable transition to renewable energy.

Switching to renewables will not help in reducing the consumption but will help in reducing the carbon emissions. A business can consider renewables like rooftop solar or solar panel area within their campus or may contact a third party for green energy supply. In the long run, renewables have shown significant cost benefits for the user. Yes, the installation and maintenance cost are high but these numbers become insignificant in the long run when you save money by using sunlight as a source... Free for all.

Transitioning to renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, hydro, or biomass, stands as one of the most effective methods for reducing energy consumption. These sources are not only clean but are also abundant and frequently more cost-effective than traditional fossil fuels. Consider installing personal renewable energy systems like solar panels or wind turbines, or opt to purchase green energy from utility providers or third-party suppliers. Additionally, exploring green certificates or carbon offsets allows you to support renewable energy projects and actively contribute to emission reduction efforts. This shift towards sustainable energy sources aligns with environmental goals while often yielding economic benefits.

It's important to note that the choice of renewable energy source should be based on your location, energy needs, and environmental considerations. Before making the switch, consult with experts or renewable energy professionals to assess your options and determine the most suitable approach for your specific situation. Going "all in" with independent self produced energy is a high target, but switching to RECs or PPA could be a starting point.

As mentioned switching to renewable energy is not reducing. Buying a renewable energy contract is simply buying certificates, PPA and self generation however are different.

In addition to upgrading your equipment and appliances to more energy-efficient models, the business can also adopt a shared-resources policy. This can be implemented by creating a network of inter-connected shared devices with centralized systems. Networking and sharing computers, servers, printers, routers and other devices reduces the amount of energy-consuming equipment in a single office space. This not only saves energy in a business environment, but can also be translated to the natural environment. Sharing resources reduces wastage and the need for more resources.

By upgrading your equipment and appliances to more energy-efficient models and incorporating smart devices, you not only reduce your energy consumption but also contribute to a more sustainable and eco-friendly lifestyle. Over time, these investments pay off through lower energy bills and a reduced environmental impact. When combined with other energy-saving measures, such as using renewable energy sources and practicing energy conservation habits, you can make a substantial positive impact on both your finances and the planet.

Cut all wastage out and improve what you have before investing as the savings could be huge, and it may alter equipment selection significantly. Imagine an old air compressor suppling air to a factory that has lots of leaks, if you simply buy a more efficient version of the one already installed and then decide to fix the leaks it may be too big. Fix the leaks first and you may find you can save money on a smaller unit.

The business can start implementing energy saving practices like: 1. Installation smart lights that activate when there is a presence in a cubicle or room. Hence, lights won't be ON unnecessarily... More power saving. 2. Educate your employees on benefits of power saving and how it helps our progress towards sustainability. 3. One interesting thing you can do is, you can ask your employees for various power saving techniques and reward them accordingly... It would be like a healthy competition where both sides will win... 4. Sit and discuss with the HR for various activities that can be done with our employees for better power savings... Like, hybrid model, weekly quizzes for creating awareness, etc.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: This well known principle could also be applied to energy-usage. Avoid heavy energy tasks, reduce the usage of such practices and improve the overall usage.

Engage your employees - all of them. Tap into their knowledge - run a competition for ideas and then compete for savings. Reward, reward, reward. Drive a culture change for a minimum of 6 months, no going back. Employees must see the gains and rewards, so a dashboard or regular updates (did I mention the competition?!) are key.

Many points have been covered in this article, however I would like to add the below points: 1. Changing office wear ( Coats/Jackets to smart casuals) Often due to formal meetings or business requirements, people have to wear a coat due to which the temperature of the office areas are reduced. Changing to smart casuals would not push the need to reduce air conditioner temperature. In case of employees wearing coats due to temperature being too cold then it must be adjusted above 24 degrees to reduce power consumption. 2. Green walls in the interiors as well as at the facade. Putting plants in the interior wall or facade regulates temperature and hence the need to increase cooling is low along with giving great ambience for employees

Reduce business energy consumption through measures like energy-efficient lighting, HVAC optimization, equipment upgrades, employee awareness, renewable energy integration, power management systems, energy-efficient building design, sustainable supply chain practices, and continuous monitoring. Implementing these strategies enhances efficiency, lowers costs, and fosters a more sustainable business model.

Reducing the need for energy is the first step , as the best energy is the one not consumed, second is efficiency , having efficient equipment, appliances that consume as little energy as saving and behavioural change of office employees, educating them.on best practices (turning off appliances when not in use, unplugging equipment when off (nanowatt energy).