How Can an Energy Action Plan Help Your Business?

Energy is an important resource for your business. With high prices and environmental considerations, it is beneficial to be aware of how much you’re using and how you can reduce your demand. 

Putting an energy action plan in place for your business will help you learn more about your current use, identify possible pathways for reduction, and transparently communicate what you’ve achieved with stakeholders. In this blog, we’ll discuss what an energy action plan is, how it can help your business, and how to get started. 

If you would like to learn about more ways embracing sustainability can positively impact your business, read our blog Driving Success: Why Your Brand Needs a Sustainability Strategy.

What is an energy action plan?

In order to make effective reductions to your businesses energy use and increase its efficiency, it is important to have a concrete plan in place.

An energy action plan will include all of the information you need to increase energy efficiency including baseline data, possible actions for now and the future, specific targets and deadlines, and processes for continued implementation. 

Your action plan is your roadmap to energy reduction and increased efficiency. Because every business is unique, every action plan will be different.

No matter the route, the goal is the same: reduce energy consumption and lessen your carbon footprint while saving money. 

How can an energy action plan help my business?

Energy action plans can be very helpful in multiple ways. In this blog, we are going to focus on:

• Increasing knowledge about your energy usage
• Reducing your energy demand and carbon footprint
• Reducing overall operating costs
• Aligning with sustainability requirements

Increasing knowledge about your energy use

In order to make informed decisions, you need to have the relevant information. The first step in an energy action plan is to set a baseline for your current usage and identify areas of high demand. With this knowledge, you are able to implement initiatives that will have an impact on your specific business. 

Also, as you work through your energy action plan, you will continue to monitor your energy use. This will help you assess the effectiveness of certain actions you’ve taken and what steps you should take next.

On the journey to reduce energy use, information is your greatest tool!

Reducing your overall energy demand and carbon footprint

The primary goal of your energy action plan is to reduce your business’ overall consumption. This is achieved by increasing energy efficiency and implementing actions that help your business use less energy in the first place. 

When this is achieved, you will also reduce your business’ overall carbon footprint. The amount of carbon emissions you prevent depends on the way in which your business’ electricity is generated. Even if you are already sourcing 100% renewable energy, reducing your demand reduces emissions from transmission and frees up more clean energy supply for others to use. 

Reducing overall operating costs

As many bussineses already know, energy costs can be incredibly high and change based on current events and access to resources. Implementing an energy action plan can help you save on your energy bills, lowering your business’ overall operating costs. When you use less energy, you’ll have to pay for less!

Aligning with sustainability requirements

Whether you are working with third-party retailers or are trying to comply with national and international regulations, an energy action plan can be helpful. Firstly, you will decrease your negative impact, primarily through reduced emissions. Secondly, you’ll be able to communicate concrete steps you are taking or will take in the future to reduce your energy consumption. 

Retailers, governments, and customers are increasingly looking for higher sustainability standards. Creating and implementing your energy action plan can help your business align with their values and build resilience. 

How do I get started?

To put in place an energy action plan for your business, you first need to gather any current data you have and determine how you will keep track of your energy consumption. You will need to monitor your usage consistently to successfully implement your plan!

Make sure to engage your whole team in the creation of your action plan. This will help with overall buy in, which is very important to the success of the plan. Keep track of the ideas that your team comes up with, even if they aren’t feasible now, they might be great future actions!

If you are an ENSO customer, you can login to the ENSO platform to see our guide and template for a step by step process for implementation.

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