Managing energy consumption is an integral component of an organization’s sustainability efforts. By establishing and practicing the right energy management strategies, organizations achieve tangible results reflected in their return on investment (ROI) and productivity reports. Being energy-efficient helps organizations reduce operational costs and lessen carbon activity. If joint global efforts on energy management were universally implemented, a 40% reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from their 1990 levels will be achieved by 2030, according to a McKinsey report.
While sustainability has been a popular topic in the global community and among international organizations for the last decade, the need to establish concrete and effective energy management solutions is equally important for both the private and public sectors. Organizations and governments see the importance of having effective energy management to apply in their daily business operations, aligned with their sustainability programs to maximize the benefits towards sustainable development.
Businesses and their Energy Management Practices at Work
Organizations choose to become more energy-efficient with effective management strategies demonstrating environmental stewardship to their investors and consumers. The Institute for Building Efficiency, a nonprofit initiative program of Johnson Controls, compiled a list of global companies that have effectively implemented energy management programs to improve their overall energy and environmental performance.
Below are some companies included in the list:
1. Diversey, Inc.: Adapting a Portfolio Approach
Diversey, Inc. is committed to reducing its carbon emissions by 8 percent by 2013 from its 2003 levels since joining the World Wildlife Fund Climate Savers program in 2008. Diversey allotted $19 million for its energy efficiency programs to upgrade facilities, change processes and reevaluate products to complete its GHG reduction goal. By adapting this approach, the company identified low-cost avoidance and efficiency measures, used clean power generation with wind turbines and combined heat and power fuel cells at its headquarters. They achieved $32 million in savings and an aggressive 25 percent carbon reduction from 2003 levels through this strategy.
2. Marriott International: Leadership and Employee Engagement
Marriott started their Energy and Environmental Action Plan (EEAP) program in 2001 to demonstrate their commitment to environmental stewardship by providing hotel managers and staff with a structured planning process of energy management initiatives. The energy program encourages hotel staff to contribute by developing and implementing energy efficiency plans to reduce environmental impacts. A spreadsheet-based tool supports the EEAPs and contains more than 170 energy-saving and environment-enhancing action plans that Marriott has established.
3. 3M: Energy Policy System
3M has an Energy Management Program which it applies across its global operations. The company’s corporate energy policy aims to improve energy consumption efficiency, reduce cost, optimize capital investment for energy efficiency, reduce environmental and GHG emissions, and conserve natural resources. The policy helped 3M achieve its reduction goal, with its energy consumption in 2009 totaling 22 percent less, compared with its 2000 levels.
FirstCarbon Solutions (FCS) helps organizations recognize business drivers for sustainability practices and offers cost-effective sustainability management solutions. FCS provides guidance on industry best practices and can help you with your sustainability programs. For more information on other sustainability solutions, read this article from our monthly newsletter, GreenWatch.
