Businesses lose profits through poor energy manage

Businesses lose profits through poor energy management

The Energy Management Association (EMANZ) is lamenting the poor showing by New Zealand companies when it comes to sound energy efficiency and energy management practices.

“Effective energy management is really a ‘get richer, quicker’ strategy for business and I find it extraordinary, given the very real value that energy management adds to the bottom line, that more organisations don’t act on it” said EMANZ executive officer, Ewan Gebbe.

A survey carried out by Synovate on behalf of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) shows that, while 79% of businesses rate energy management as critical, only 23% are committed to it.

“Either those business operators don’t care about increased profits, or don’t understand how energy efficiency can influence the bottom line.”

Mr Gebbe labelled as ‘very worrying’ the fact that a lack of time, finance and knowledge were listed by 26%, 18% and 17% of businesses respectively as barriers to doing more on energy management.

“Even if they aren’t interested in the financial gains associated with being more energy efficient, they might spare a thought for their children and their grandchildren.

“Because if the Economist magazine[1] is right, and energy efficiency is the number one climate change response, then a lack of action on this issue by business will create huge problems for the coming generations.

“Plus it undermines New Zealand ’s clean, green brand.”

Mr Gebbe said EMANZ is finding ways of making energy efficiency and energy management a no brainer for business people.

“We have a variety of innovative solutions that will help businesses get around the time, money and knowledge barriers.

“All it takes is a phone call and most business owners will be hugely surprised at how easy and cheap it is to become more energy efficient – to reduce costs, enhance productivity and to help save the planet.”

He said an energy audit is a first step and that will give rise to an energy management strategy that will more than pay for itself.

“Our challenge to business is to view energy management as a get-richer quicker strategy, and one that will help save the environment as well.”

For further information visit www.emanz.org.nz

ENDS

© Scoop Media