Save resources, reduce climate change and save money

What is energy management?

Fossil fuels are obviously a finite and diminishing resource and as such the price of which is only likely to increase over time. The 2008 Climate Change Act commits the United Kingdom to legally binding greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets of 34% by 2020 and 80% by 2050, compared to 1990 levels. These are obviously serious targets and decarbonisation of electricity generation will form a major part of this reduction. However, we also need to use energy more efficiently; it helps companies save money as well as helping to conserve resources and tackle climate change.

The ISO 50001 standard supports organizations in all sectors to use energy more efficiently through the development of an energy management system (EnMS) which would take your organisation through the following stages.


What is an energy management system?

ISO 50001 is a standard dedicated to the saving of energy, for larger companies, those with 250 staff or more, the standard is inextricably linked with the Energy Savings and Opportunities Scheme (ESOS) which became mandatory as of 31st December 2015.

The primary objective of both ISO 50001 and ESOS is to promote and improve company and organisational energy efficiency which will in turn help to reduce costs. If organisations reduce energy usage and costs it will assist the EU meet its 2020 20% headline target on energy efficiency.

For the larger company there are various routes to ESOS compliance but with many companies already being familiar with the systems and cultural requirements of internationally recognised management systems, for quality, the environment and health and safety, it is believed that integrating the requirements of the energy management standard ISO 50001, is likely to be the most cost-effective route to compliance.


What are the benefits of ISO 50001?

The benefits of ISO 50001 are significant and include:

•  Increased energy awareness among staff resulting in reduced energy costs

•  Improved operational efficiencies and maintenance practices

•  Reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and carbon footprint

•  Compliance with current and future voluntary and/or mandatory energy efficiency targets

•  Improved corporate image and credibility among customers, clients and stakeholders

Additionally,, for those companies employing more than 250 staff ISO 50001 provides a simple and often familiar route to legal compliance with the ESOS regulations.