Member Article

Cutting energy bills can lower emissions

By Dan Smith, head of energy at Great Annual Savings Group

Earlier this month 155 firms made a pledge to cut their carbon emissions in line with international efforts to keep global warming below the 2°C threshold.

Japanese car giant Toyota, ice cream brand Ben & Jerry’s and tech firm Sony are among the companies to sign up to the Science Based Targets Initiative, which encourages businesses to set greenhouse gas emission reduction targets at levels recommended on the basis of scientific research.

Currently this research indicates that global warming should be kept below 2°C and companies are seen as vital components in the drive to create a greener, low-carbon economy.

The 155 firms to sign up to the initiative are headquartered in 27 countries around the world and most of them are major multinationals. But whilst they are important, the SME community should not be forgotten. In the UK alone, small businesses account for 99.3% of all private sector businesses and SMEs make up 99.9% of the total, according to the Federation of Small Businesses. That represents huge collective strength, not only to oil the wheels of the national economy, but also to make a major contribution to the fight against global warming.

If every small company cut its energy usage by 2-3%, that would lead to a significant reduction in the volume of carbon emissions generated by the UK each year. Many firms think they’re being energy efficient when in reality they’re not. Taking a few simple steps, such as switching computers off overnight, using energy monitoring software or installing renewables could result in major cost savings and a reduction in a company’s carbon footprint.

At Great Annual Savings Group, we work with firms to help them save money on their variable business costs, which include energy, office equipment and insurance. We conduct a thorough audit of these costs and identify ways in which the company can make savings and improve their environmental footprint.

Our customers – and many are SMEs – are pleased with the end results. While they all want to save money, the vast majority are also conscious of their responsibility to protect and preserve the environment. This will be crucial in helping to create a low-carbon worldwide economy that can stave off the threat of global warming.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Great Annual Savings Group .