Product category:
Building Energy Efficiency and Sustainability
News Release from: energyTEAM | Subject: Energy management
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 01 August 2007
Taking responsibility for energy
management
Leaders of medium sized businesses in the UK are not taking responsibility for energy management within their organisation, according to research by energyTEAM.
Despite energy issues dominating the current political and media landscape, leaders of medium sized businesses in the UK are not taking responsibility for energy management within their organisation, according to research by B2B consultancy energyTEAM Instead, this most vital of functions is delegated to less senior personnel - such as facilities managers, health and safety officers or operations managers - in two thirds of companies with over 50 employees
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 5 May 2006 at 8.00am (UK)
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While energy management may have been rightly viewed as an operational task in the past, increased focus on minimising global climate change through reduced, efficient energy use has become a board room level issue.
However, energyTEAM,s study reveals that only a fifth of managing directors (MDs) and CEOs are responsible for this activity.In 13 per cent of organisations, energy management falls under the remit of the financial director or financial controller.
This creates a risk that genuine energy saving measures must deliver return on investment within an unreasonably short length of time or fall by the wayside, rather than being seen a long term strategy.
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Only in 3 per cent of the companies surveyed was energy management highlighted as an issue handled by the entire board.
Worryingly, a further 3 per cent responded that no one in particular had responsibility for this function, while only 7 per cent had a dedicated energy manager handling this activity.
The figures are even more pronounced when considering organisations by their size.
In businesses with over 500 employees - arguably those with the greatest energy usage - only 3 per cent of MDs or CEOs are responsible for energy management, rising to a meagre 14 per cent in companies with 250 to 500 staff.
role in the management of energy within their organisations.
He comments: " As a company dedicated to helping businesses implement the most effective energy strategies, we are involved with the total energy management spectrum".
"This includes securing the best energy prices on behalf of clients, as well as helping identify and introduce measures to cut usage".
Despite the significant opportunities this activity presents for saving money and reducing environmental impact, we are still finding that senior personnel are not as involved in the process as they could be.
energyTEAM is calling for energy management to considered as a key strategic issue.
"If the UK wishes to play its part in helping to minimise global climate change then businesses must be encouraged to think further ahead than the next two to five years".
"Unfortunately, these are not decisions that can be made at an operational level, where short term payback is king ".
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