SBS21: Maximising Energy Reductions for High Energy Users
Inspired Energy
This blog post has been produced for the Greater Birmingham and Coventry and Warwickshire Chambers of Commerce as part of the 2021 Sustainable Business Series: Net Zero campaign.
The Sustainable Business Series: Net Zero is the Chamber’s first campaign on environmental sustainability, which aims to share best practice, guidance and knowledge to increase business progress to net zero. In 2021, this involves 5 free online webinars taking place from the end of September and throughout October along with publishing thought leadership podcasts, videos and blog content. The campaign will feature a Sustainability Summit on 3rd November
Thanks to our Headline Sponsors – Aston University, Arup, Morgan Sindall and the University of Birmingham - all webinars and the Summit are free to attend. Interested parties can find out more and register to attend Sustainable Business Series: Net Zero events here, and the Sustainable Business Summit here.
For energy intensive users who are looking to maximise energy reductions and costs, measuring your existing carbon footprint, and setting a clear, Science Based Target (SBT) is the first step to your decarbonisation journey.
To measure your carbon footprint and help you understand where your business is at, you will firstly need to:
- Collect all utilities consumption data
- Scope 1 - Direct emissions from owned or controlled sources
- Scope 2 – Indirect emissions from the generation of purchased electricity, steam, heat, and cooling
- Scope 3 – Further indirect emissions created by your value chain, such as purchased goods, services, business travel, water usage and waste disposal
This data driven approach to reducing your carbon emissions will allow you to make better informed decisions when it comes to planning the steps towards your SBT. It’s important that whilst striving for Net Zero, your SBT is achievable and realistic but can also be measured against the criteria set within the Paris Agreement.
Actionable insights
The insights gained from the data you collect about your carbon emissions will help you prioritise areas of improvement. How long your business has been focusing on decarbonisation, will determine how much work you still have to do to work towards your SBT.
Wherever your business is creating the most emissions is where you should begin with your prioritisation. Most businesses are now finding that their Scope 3 emissions now represent around 90% of their total Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions.
Practical steps to maximising your reductions
Reviewing your businesses options is the first step when it comes to actioning a reduction plan. Knowing the available options as well as what is practical both now and in the future is vital. From educating employees on adopting energy efficient behaviours to installing a waste heat recovery system, the solutions are almost endless.
Your budget is also a crucial factor, as some solutions such as switching to a renewable energy supply, on-site generation or electric vehicle (EV) charging require initial capital investment. Therefore, it’s important to plan how these will be funded as well as the timing on the Return on Investment (ROI). This type of energy reduction strategy will also need to be led by Board-level stakeholders.
Working with an expert utility consultant like Inspired Energy provides you access to decades of industry knowledge and experience, which you can rely on to ensure your business is working towards your Net Zero carbon goals. A utility consultancy can also support your business with implementing its carbon reduction plans and advise on any grants or schemes such as the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) your business can take advantage of to ease the financial burden.
Speak to Inspired today about your energy reduction requirements on 01772 689250 or email James at James.sampson@inspiredenergy.co.uk
