Earth Day sends public sector a message of energy efficiency
Last Friday was the 46th World Earth Day, an annual event that aims to inspire, challenge and motivate people across the world to take action to protect and secure a sustainable future. Here, Sameen Khan, of Government-backed energy efficiency funder Sali
Last week, over one billion people across 192 countries participated in World Earth Day, a movement which aims to lift environmental issues on to the world stage. And, of course, one of the principle themes of the day was to increase awareness of energy efficiency.
Energy efficiency is generally described as ‘ using less energy to provide the same efficient service’. In recent years there has been an increasing need to become more energy efficient, particularly in the public sector, where it has been highlighted that reducing energy use can present a great opportunity to reduce energy bills, an extremely salient issue during times of increased budgetary pressure.
Since 2010, public sector organisations have needed to make significant changes across the board, with a growing list of high priorities. However, the compelling returns achievable when placing a focus on energy efficiency has become regarded as a highly attractive benefit, so much so that it has now been identified as something of a priority.
Nevertheless, it should be noted that while improving energy efficiency brings substantial financial benefits, it also promotes an opportunity to develop an enhanced sustainability programme for businesses, whilst supporting social development and encouraging environmental goals.
On the ecological side of things, energy-efficient buildings also produce fewer greenhouse gasses – a huge benefit when it comes to envi- ronmental credentials.
With this in mind, energy managers across the UK can use World Earth Day to not only learn how to project eco-friendly messaging but also understand how this day has become a starting point to convey core messages regarding the costcutting benefits associated with adopting a more ecologically friendly business approach.
Lowering energy bills in public sector organisations across the country – whether schools, council buildings, universities or emergency services – represents a huge opportunity for the public sector to improve its overall financial position without impacting on services.
It will come as no surprise that energy costs in these types of facilities are high – often consisting of a large number of buildings with frequent and long usage hours.
World Earth Day has proven that by identifying and distinguishing the wider impacts of energy efficiency, it has the potential to motivate managers to uptake a greater interest in energy efficiency opportunities, which can make a major contribution towards meeting the challenges of sustainability the public sector faces.
All public sector bodies have some scope to improve the energy management within their organisations, which can have limited cost implications.
Amid rising awareness of the impact the commercial world has on the environment, companies of all sizes should look to embrace green practices, using the associated benefits to their long-term economic advantage.
This year’s World Earth Day has presented businesses with the golden opportunity needed to adopt a proactive approach to tackle energy consumption in order to meet sus- tainability challenges head-on while reinforcing the overarching importance of energy efficiency across the sector.