Target 2050 Business

Background

This project has been developed by Severn Wye Energy Agency and funded by Stroud District Council. This aspect of work is one strand of Target 2050, an overall strategy to address climate change through actions in the domestic, commercial and public sectors in the district.

The project will complement the work of the Carbon Trust by offering additional services to businesses whose energy spend is not sufficient to receive an on site survey. It also builds upon experience gained though the Action Energy programme, which shows that whilst the survey and report were very well received, many businesses did not implement the measures recommended as there was no follow up support to help them do this.

As a result, this programme of work has a strong element of "after sales service" to help take the businesses through the process of implementing recommendations and actually benefiting from reduced carbon emissions and consequently lower energy bills.

Aim

Activities

The project is being promoted through existing business networks in the district and interest is welcomed from businesses of all sizes because the service offering is determined by energy spend rather than traditional definitions of "SME". All businesses will receive initial telephone advice, including advice about funding available for energy efficiency improvements. Businesses spending £50,000 or more per annum will be advised to take up the Carbon Trust on site service.

Businesses with an energy spend of between £5,000 and £50,000 per annum will be offered the service based around the on site survey by Severn Wye. This free energy survey and accompanying support will be available to 65 businesses over the two years to April 2009. Subject to commitment from top management to implementing the agreed programme of work, this will take the form of an on site survey followed by a written report with tailored recommendations based on potential savings.

The project team will then spend up to two days with the company to assist with the development or review of an energy policy and an action plan based on the recommended measures. This will include advice about financing capital expenditure if applicable.

Time will also be available to assist with the development of a staff awareness campaign and resources such as posters, leaflets and training materials will be made available to support this. Advice will be available from the Energy Saving Trust Advice Centre to enable staff to make beneficial changes in their own homes too.

Ongoing support will also be available over the telephone. This service will also be used to signpost businesses to other environmental business support organisations that will be able to advise in areas such as waste minimisation, recycling and water efficiency.

UPDATE - Project extended in the Forest of Dean area until January 2013

Benefits

The project aims to deliver a range of benefits to participating businesses and the wider community. The most tangible of these is a reduction in business costs - most businesses can implement some measures at little or no cost, in which case the savings translate directly into increased profitability.

The on site energy survey can feed straight into a broader environmental strategy such as an environmental management system and enables the business to access expert advice to ensure their actions are targeted, measurable and effective. The documentation developed as part of the project work can be used as evidence for certification to ISO14001.

Coordinator

Owen Callender - Business Energy Advisor - Project Manager

[email]owen
[phone]01452 835060

Related Projects

Target 2050 - Domestic

Target 2050 - Community

ENGINE

Target 2050 Official Website

Reducing the environmental impacts associated with energy use can enhance the company's reputation with customers, suppliers, existing and potential employees and the wider community and can help to demonstrate corporate social responsibility.

It is intended that the staff and management of participating companies benefit from a heightened awareness of energy efficiency and the opportunities to save money and enhance wellbeing in their homes as well as in the workplace.

Management Commitment

Whilst there is no charge for the service offered, it is important that there is commitment from the senior management of the organisations that decide to take up this opportunity. The senior management team need to be aware that their active involvement is essential to achieving energy savings. Specifically, participants are asked to confirm they are willing to: