How can ISO 50001 Energy Management Revolutionize Your Business?
As the world continues to face the challenges of climate change and environmental degradation, organisations are increasingly focusing on energy management to reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to a more sustainable future. One of the most effective ways of achieving this is by implementing ISO 50001:2018 Energy Management Systems.
Our previous blog posts uncovered the necessity of ISO 50001 and explored the journey toward achieving energy efficiency. Let’s unveil how ISO 50001 can be a game-changer for your business, offering dual cost savings benefits and environmental stewardship.
The Essence of ISO 50001 Energy Management
ISO 50001:2018 is a strategic tool that helps organisations put an energy management system in place and use their energy more efficiently and effectively. The standard provides a framework for industrial facilities, commercial facilities, or entire organisations to manage energy and establish a structure and discipline to implement technical and management strategies that significantly cut energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions.
The ISO 50001 Framework:
ISO 50001 requires organisations to:
- Develop an energy-efficient policy
- Identify Significant Energy Uses (SEUs) and plan for consumption reduction
- Implement sustainable management arrangements for low energy consumption
- Evaluate and continually improve the energy management system
How does ISO 50001:2018 help organisations manage energy?
ISO 50001:2018 helps organisations manage energy by providing a framework for energy management systems (EnMS). The standard sets out a systematic approach to managing energy that can be applied to any organisation, regardless of size or sector.
The EnMS framework provided by ISO 50001:2018 requires organisations to develop a policy for more efficient energy use, identify significant energy uses, and plan consumption reduction. The standard also requires organisations to implement management arrangements to sustain low consumption levels, evaluate performance, review the system’s effectiveness, and improve the system.
By following this framework, organisations can establish a structure and discipline to implement technical and management strategies that significantly cut energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions. The standard also guides how to monitor and measure energy performance and identify opportunities for improvement.
ISO 50001:2018 emphasises the importance of a continuous improvement approach to energy management. By continually monitoring and evaluating energy performance, organisations can identify areas for improvement and take action to enhance their energy efficiency. This approach enables businesses to reduce their energy consumption, save costs, and contribute towards a sustainable future.
What are the benefits of ISO 50001?
The benefits of implementing ISO 50001:2018 are numerous and can take many forms. For some, it is about reducing environmental impact and enhancing reputation; for others, it is about driving down costs and improving competitiveness. Improved energy performance can provide rapid benefits for an organisation by maximising its use of energy sources and energy-related assets, reducing cost and consumption. Another important benefit is the reduction of carbon emissions and related carbon taxes, as well as improved optics presented to shareholders in ESG reporting.
What are the other benefits of implementing ISO 50001:2018 besides reducing environmental impact and driving down costs?
1. Improved energy performance
Implementing ISO 50001:2018 can provide rapid benefits for an organisation by maximising its energy sources and energy-related assets, reducing cost and consumption. Improved energy performance can help organisations become more efficient and effective in their energy use.
2. Enhanced reputation
Implementing ISO 50001:2018 can help organisations enhance their reputation by demonstrating their commitment to sustainability and energy management. Enhanced reputation can be significant for companies operating in industries where environmental concerns are a priority.
3. Compliance with regulations
Implementing ISO 50001:2018 can help organisations comply with regulations related to energy management and carbon reduction initiatives, including carbon taxes. Carbon taxes are put in place to incentivize companies to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, and implementing ISO 50001:2018 can help companies achieve this goal.
In addition to avoiding costly penalties for non-compliance with carbon taxes, reducing carbon emissions can also lead to cost savings through increased energy efficiency and reduced waste. Therefore, compliance with regulations related to carbon taxes can be significant for companies operating in industries where environmental concerns are a priority, and implementing ISO 50001:2018 can help them achieve these goals.
4. Increased competitiveness
Implementing ISO 50001:2018 can help organisations become more competitive by reducing costs and improving efficiency. Increased competitiveness can help them to stay ahead of their competitors and attract more customers.
5. Better risk management
Implementing ISO 50001:2018 can help organisations better manage energy use risks, such as supply chain disruptions or energy price fluctuations. Better risk management can help them to mitigate potential risks and ensure business continuity.
To get started with ISO 50001, download our FREE GUIDE, “10 Tips for Implementing ISO 50001:2018 Energy Management.“
Who Can Benefit from ISO 50001?
ISO 50001:2018 is not exclusive; it is used by large and small organisations worldwide, both public and private. Aligned with ISO 14001:2015, it facilitates seamless integration with existing management systems, enhancing organisational efficiency.
Success Stories through ISO 50001
How Hilton went green
One of the success stories of an organisation using ISO 50001 is Hilton. Hilton was the first global hospitality company to achieve portfolio-wide certification to ISO 50001 following a comprehensive upgrade to its corporate responsibility performance measurement platform. The savings have been significant, reducing Hilton’s energy intensity by 20.6 % and its carbon intensity by 30.0 % from a 2008 baseline.
“ISO 50001 has really helped us to ensure we are following a consistent approach to energy management across all our properties. Since implementing the standard, energy management has remained a key focus for our leadership and we continue to seek opportunities to drive our performance to the next level.” Maxime Verstraete, Vice President of Corporate Responsibility & ADA Compliance at Hilton
Learn more about how Hilton was amongst the first hotel groups in the world to go green.
How An Garda Síochána went green
Another example is An Garda Síochána (AGS), the national police force of Ireland with over 16,000 employees. When the Irish government announced its ambitious target of improving energy efficiency by 33 % for the public sector by 2020, AGS implemented a robust energy management system and received ISO 50001 certification. Since starting the project in 2009, AGS has saved USD 11,307,142 through reduced energy use and energy efficiency is now considered in everyday policing operations.
“An Garda Síochána are the first national police force in the world to achieve ISO 50001 certification, achieving energy savings of 21.9 % and energy cost savings of 9.3 % since 2009.” Mike Dodd, Management Representative, ISO 50001 Energy Team, An Garda Síochána
Learn more about how An Garda Síochána was the first national police service in the world to be certified for energy management.
The Business Case for ISO 50001: COST SAVINGS AND BEYOND
Implementing ISO 50001 isn’t just about compliance; it’s a strategic move that makes economic sense. Beyond reducing costs and optimising resource usage, businesses stand to gain:
- Reduced greenhouse gas emissions
- Alignment with energy efficiency targets and legislation
- Enhanced brand reputation
- Informed decision-making
- Increased energy awareness among staff
- Improved operational efficiencies, like reduced carbon taxes
To get started with ISO 50001, download our FREE GUIDE, “10 Tips for Implementing ISO 50001:2018 Energy Management.“
Implementing ISO 50001:2018 with Risk ZA
Risk ZA offers both training, consulting, and pre-certification auditing services. For more details on our services, please email us at info@riskza.com.
What are the training courses offered by Risk ZA for ISO 50001:2018?
Training courses for ISO 50001:2018 include:
- Senior Management Energy Awareness Level 3
- Introduction, Developing and Implementing an Energy Management System
- Internal and Supplier Auditing to provide strategic guidance, understanding and advice
The Path Forward with ISO 50001
In conclusion, implementing ISO 50001:2018 is incredibly beneficial to all organisations. ISO 50001:2018 helps organisations improve energy performance by optimising energy-intensive assets. Energy efficiency makes good business sense by cutting costs and optimising resource use whilst reducing waste.
By adopting ISO 50001:2018, organisations can significantly reduce their energy costs and impact on the environment and comply with carbon reduction initiatives, enhancing their corporate environmental practices.
We are dedicated to equipping businesses with the tools they need to thrive. Contact Risk ZA for expert insights and support on your ISO Journey. 📞 Call us at +27 (0) 31 569 5900 or send an email to info@riskza.com