Going Green: Little Green Truck Part 2

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Little Green Truck: Green Premises

The Little Green Truck campaign, sponsored by Michelin and Shell

Premises are one of the major costs of business; leasing or buying, maintaining, and, of course, the energy-intensive running of offices, warehouses and yards can be a major strain. What’s more, they also bump up your carbon footprint. But there is a whole series of measures you can take to cut the energy cost of your existing buildings; minimise energy costs and carbon emissions from any future premises or renovation; and to put currently unused/wasted areas of your building to work to earn substantial cash.

If you are planning a new build, the possibilities for carbon savings are almost endless, with some companies coming off the grid entirely. But for most operators it will be a case of common-sense economies, eliminating waste and perhaps exploring specific renovations.

Brian Berry, director of external affairs at the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), says: "Around 85% of all existing buildings will still be standing in 2050, which is when the Government’s target of a 60% reduction in carbon output becomes a reality – and this target may go up to 80% if the Climate Change Bill takes effect. The test is to make existing buildings more energy efficient." There are a handful of basic steps that most companies can take at all premises that will significantly cut carbon emissions and heating bills.

  • Insulation: Bill Gething, partner at architect Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios and the Royal Institute of Architects (RIBA) president’s adviser on sustainability, says: "I would advise companies to be wary of gizmos, such as new materials, unless they have proved themselves. The most important thing you can do is save energy and the old boring stand-bys like insulation are still very important."
  • Air-con, windows and heating: Berry also recommends overhauling inefficient heating systems and using passive heating and ventilation wherever possible – in other words, turn off the air-con and open your windows. Roof lights are also important in saving electricity.
  • Decor: Some measures are ridiculously simple, but will have astounding effects. "Paint rooms a lighter shade," says Berry. "A report for the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors in 2007 shows this can save 5% of energy because people need – or feel they need – less light." Saving energy must become part of company culture, just as saving fuel would be. "Have a simple, clear policy," says Berry. "A checklist is useful."

Hindrances to the market

There are a couple of major obstacles to the ease with which companies can make existing buildings more energy efficient. One is that there is no accepted or Government-set standard for improvement, unlike the regulations that govern energy efficiency in new builds. The other is that widespread demand is still lacking.

Berry says: "While some builders are entrepreneurial and see chances for green developments, many are very traditional in the way they approach jobs and will continue to be so until there is sufficient demand. It is essential that customers challenge their builders to come up with innovative solutions."

The FMB thinks the Government should be offering more support to create demand in this market. One of its lobbying platforms is a cut in VAT on repair and maintenance work from 17.5% to 5%. Another idea is to have energy efficiency work offset from business rates. With energy prices climbing, these issues may be worth bringing to your MP’s attention.

The Carbon Trust's Top 10 Tips for Business

  1. By turning down the heating by just one degree, a saving of 8-10% can be made on the annual heating bill.
  2. Reduce heating in areas needing less warmth, such as storerooms and heavy physical work areas, and during holidays, weekends or when the building is empty.
  3. Keep windows closed while the heating or air-conditioning is on.
  4. Most office equipment, including PCs, monitors, faxes and printers, will have energy-saving features. These sometimes need to be manually activated.
  5. Always switch monitors off when not in use. They account for almost half of a computer's energy use.
  6. Make use of natural daylight where possible. It costs nothing and can reduce lighting bills by up to 19%.
  7. Energy-saving lightbulbs use 75% less electricity than standard light bulbs, provide the same amount of light, and last 10 times longer.
  8. Reduce lighting in areas that don't need bright light, such as corridors.
  9. Encourage staff to turn off lights whenever and wherever they are not needed. Businesses can save up to 15% on their bills by implementhing this simple measure.
  10. Check your meters regularly to see how much electricity, gas and oil is being used and check bills relate to what you actually use, not an estimate.

Supporting the Little Green Truck: Michelin and Shell

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