A new report from The International Energy Agency predicts that by 2016 global electricity generation from wind, solar, hydro and other forms of renewable energy will grow by 40% and will exceed electricity generated from gas.  (“Medium-Term Renewable Energy Market Report”)

In 2008 McKinsey, in their report “An Australian Cost Curve for Greenhouse Gas Reduction” found that greenhouse gas emissions in Australia can easily be reduced by 30% below 1900 levels on 2020 and 60% by 2030 without major technological breakthroughs or lifestyle changes.

This is all good news but rely on support and  policy changes from government to have a big impact. In the meantime, while we wait for our “leaders” to show some leadership, what can we do at a company and business level to reduce greenhouse gas emissions ( and save money)?

The first step, is to look at the efficiencies in current energy use and see what small changes can be made to reduce the use of energy in your business. For example, in the “Wealthier, Healthier Cities” report CDP found that 110 cities are saving around $40 million dollars a year from efficiency based emissions reductions programmes.

Relatively simple steps like replacing incandescent lights with LEDs are saving energy and maintenance costs. The City of Sydney’s is beginning to replace lighting in streets and parks with LED lighting which is projected to reduce its energy bill by $800,000 a year. Los Angeles has replaced its traffic lights and streetlights with LED lights, reportedly saving $11 million a year in electricity and repair costs

How much are your company’s lighting energy and repair bills?  Can you save money from changing incandescent lights to LEDs?

Maybe the first step is even simpler- How often do your staff leave lights, computers, photocopiers and other equipment or machinery on, or on “standby” overnight or when not in use?  How is this behaviour cutting into your company’s profits?

Another cost saver is printing.  How much is you print and copy paper costing the company each year? Are your staff printing documents unnecessarily? Please don’t tell me that they routinely print on a single side…. Is the printer turned off at the end of the day?

The energy cost to your business of printing on one side of the paper may not be a direct cost of your business, but contributes to the overall indirect costs. The costs that you can account for directly, however, are paying for twice as much paper than you really need.

Knowing where and how energy (and other resources) are being used, looking at ways to change behaviour and finding efficient technology alternatives are the  low hanging fruit that can be picked to save your company money immediately, or after a short pay- back period.