Environment
Reducing your carbon footprint PDF Print E-mail
Written by Hugh Jones, 2007   

It's what every organisation is talking about and looking to achieve in the current climate. But what is a carbon footprint? And how can it be reduced? Hugh Jones explains. 

How can facilities managers engage employees in energy efficiency?

What services and schemes are available to support facilities managers with reducing building emissions?

It is now widely accepted that there is a need to take action on climate change by reducing carbon emissions and that this needs to happen soon. Organisations from every sector, ranging from industrial companies to retailers, are realising the reputational, financial and environmental benefits gained through reducing carbon emissions.  

The carbon footprint of an organisation can be defined to include a number of different areas, for example emissions from other organisations and processes along the supply chain. For the purposes of this article, carbon footprint refers to the emissions created directly through the operational use of the building, and should not take into account the embodied emissions from its construction, nor indirect emissions such as transport to and from the building.

Key role for FMS


In the UK, non-domestic buildings currently account for 18 per cent of carbon emissions, so facilities managers and their clients have a significant role to play in reducing carbon emissions by improving energy efficiency of buildings through better energy management and maintenance.

However, in many cases facilities managers do not have direct control over all the energy used in the buildings they manage and each FM contract can vary considerably in terms of the level of influence the facilities managers has over the energy use in the building.

So, realistically, over which areas do facilities managers hold the most influence and where should efforts be focused?  

Facilities managers interested in reducing the carbon footprint of the buildings they manage need to engage with the tenants who control the majority of the energy use. In many cases, these tenants may already be interested in reducing their carbon footprint but need some advice and direction.

Improving tenants' awareness of the energy used can be achieved by installing and using tenant sub-metering to provide an accurate picture of electricity use. The next step is to agree strategies for heating and cooling; agreeing temperature deadbands to ensure that heating and cooling don't fight each other; understanding and agreeing appropriate daily, weekly and annual schedules for heating and cooling; and agreeing appropriate zoning of heating and cooling. Facilities managers can also provide advice on simple energy-saving measures such as lighting controls, minimising ability for controls to be overridden, as well as guidance on energy saving for tenants refurbishing their part of the building.

There are dedicated services available that facilities managers can signpost their tenants to for information and resources to help with energy savings - for example the Carbon Trust provides onsite energy surveys for companies with annual energy bills over £50,000. For smaller, less energy-intensive companies and organisations, the Carbon Trust provides free telephone support through its Advice Line (see box) and a range of free publications including a number of 'how to' guides on energy-saving covering topics such as installing lighting controls and the management of office equipment.

A comprehensive approach


Employee engagement is also a key route to achieving energy efficiency. Figures released by the Carbon Trust showed that more than two-thirds of employees are keen to help their company cut carbon emissions but want direction in doing so. Facilities managers could help tenants to run energy management campaigns in a variety of ways - for example by providing baseline energy data, or by giving guidance on how to run a campaign. Some landlords already provide information packs that cover energy efficiency information for new tenants.

In addition to working with the Carbon Trust on our carbon management programmes, tenants and landlords may also wish to seek energy efficiency accreditation in conjunction with the FM company through the Energy Efficiency Accreditation Scheme (EEAS). This scheme recognises those companies that have made significant efforts to reduce their energy consumption and FM companies can be jointly accredited along with their client - for example British American Tobacco and their FM company EMCOR.

Some landlords may already require FM companies to manage energy as part of their contract. Where this is not part of the contract, FM companies may wish to offer this as value add to their existing services.    

Facilities managers should also look at reducing energy consumption in the areas of the building they directly control. This could include stairwells, corridors and toilet areas. Simple measures could include lighting controls, such as daylight or presence sensors, and reducing the need for heating in stairwells.

Maintenance of plant so that it runs efficiently is often another important role for FM companies. A proactive maintenance schedule for plant should ensure that it is always running at maximum efficiency.
 
Another important aspect of optimum maintenance is to ensure that the building management system is operating correctly and managing the building effectively.

Replacement of existing plant for more energy efficient equivalents can also be influenced by facilities managers. The Energy Technology List provides a list of energy efficient plant and machinery eligible for an Enhanced Capital Allowance.  

Facilities managers looking for further information on energy efficiency in buildings can call the Carbon Trust's Advice Line on 0800 085 2005 or visit www.carbontrust.co.uk for an online Action Plan tool, information and publications.

For information about the Enhanced Capital Allowances and Energy Technology List, visit http://www.eca.gov.uk/etl

About the author
Hugh Jones is Senior Account Manager at the Carbon Trust. Please visit www.carbontrust.co.uk/default.ct
 
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