Most of the top business leaders now have energy conservation high on their agendas, but many do not understand where to start in developing realisable energy policy or planning investment in energy-saving equipment.

These findings became evident when we interviewed a sizeable cross-section of key directors and managers of building services, FM and M&E contracting companies during the recent Building Performance Exhibition in London.

Those in business understand the stark reality of escalating energy costs and increasingly acknowledge the pressures on corporate governance in relation to initiatives such as Kyoto. But, while the government attempts to promote awareness of energy conservation in relation to greenhouse gas emissions, it has done little to engender practical responses from business.

The fact of the matter is that without a radical change of business model from certain key suppliers to business, those charged with effecting climate change targets – as well as the obvious cost savings – will continue to founder. Equipment manufacturers, energy utilities, building services contractors and even architects will have to embrace a new role of energy mentor if comprehensive energy policies are to be attained.

Without such hand-holding, business will remain lost in an energy-sapping struggle.

Source

Building Sustainable Design

Postscript

Richard Hipkiss, marketing manager, Schneider Electric