Solving the behavioural change challenge

According to independent research, businesses could significantly improve energy management by embedding Carbon Psychology in staff behaviour. Currently, just 18% of energy savings in UK industry come from behaviour change – far lower than what is actually achievable.

 

Although the UK is relatively energy efficient compared to other countries, it has performed strongly in raising energy efficiency amongst households. Industry, on the other hand, has slowed since 2007. 

 

It is estimated that £600 million of potential savings could be achieved by businesses actively fostering behavioural change among their employees. Around a half of this could be achieved by Industrial and Commercial businesses (I&Cs). 

 

The greatest scope for savings lie in wholesale and retail (£120 million), manufacturing (£64 million), administrative and support services (£69 million) and professional, scientific and technical (£55 million).

 

While this sounds positive in principle, the question of ‘how’ still remains. In this podcast, we explore the idea of Carbon Psychology and what this means for UK businesses. From exploring successful strategies to promote energy efficiency, to investing in new technologies, increasing the visibility of energy consumption among employees and even encouraging staff to take ownership of energy management, we bring together some of the industry’s leading names to solve the behavioural change challenge. 

Lowri Evans, Low Carbon and Behaviour Change Manager at npower Business Solutions, Energy HQ, Paul Crewe, Executive Director at Anthesis Group and Lara Young, Group Carbon Manager for Costain Group, spoke to Julie-Anna Needham.