FAQs

  1. There seem to be conflicting opinions on climate change – what’s really happening?
  2. I keep hearing about ’sustainability’ and ’sustainable growth’ – what do these phrases really mean to us?
  3. What’s in it for my business? What if I just do nothing?
  4. I hear the phrase ‘Green IT’ often but do not know what it means – can you explain it simply?
  5. You mention the BCS / ISEB ‘Green IT Qualification’ – what exactly is this?
  6. What is the relevant legislation regarding energy assessment & management in commercial property?
  7. What does ‘Level 3 Non-Domestic Energy Assessor’ mean, what is accreditation and who are Elmhurst Energy?
  8. Are there any recognised standards I should be aiming for?
  9. I see many companies offering ‘free energy surveys’ or advice – how is Rock Energy Solutions different?



1. There seem to be conflicting opinions on climate change – what’s really happening?

Although there are some dissenting voices, the general consensus of scientific opinion today points to the fact that the global warming does exist, is accelerating and is mainly caused by human activity.2,3 Carbon dioxide (CO2) is one of the main greenhouse gases which causes climate change – over 40% of the UK’s man-made CO2 emissions come from energy we use every day, at home, in our businesses and when we travel. By reducing our own CO2 emissions, our ‘carbon footprint’, we can all play an important part in the fight against climate change and save money on our energy bills.

2 http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/02/070202-global-warming.html

3 http://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/presentations/pre-cop-warsaw-2-10-2008/pres-warsaw-climate%20-botagaj-1.pdf

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2. I keep hearing about ’sustainability’ and ’sustainable growth’ – what do these phrases really mean to us?

The best dictionary definition we’ve found for sustainability is: meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Sustainable growth is such that it does not negatively affect the environment, workers or the poor; that is just and fair and improves the likelihood of such growth in the future.

It is clear, therefore, that managing our carbon footprint, and reducing our carbon emissions, is a key part of promoting sustainable growth.

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3. What’s in it for my business? What if I just do nothing?

Given today’s economic climate, these are key questions for all businesses. There are four major business benefits to reducing your carbon footprint and, consequently, your energy spend:

  • Financial
    A structured approach to switching machines off after use, turning the heating down in warm weather, and upgrading IT and building services equipment can save you a surprising amount on your energy bill.
  • Reputational
    Leadership in your sector or supply chain with lower carbon products and services will enhance your reputation. Increasing numbers of consumers are making choices based on a company’s environmental credentials.
  • Employee recruitment & retention
    People prefer to work for environmentally responsible companies – having strong policies will help you stay an employer of choice.
  • Government regulation & legislation
    It is highly likely that more initiatives, such as the Carbon Reduction Commitment, Climate Change Levy and the Emissions Trading Scheme, will be introduced in the near future. In addition 2010 will see the tightening of building regulations (Part L), and there are further building regulation changes already in the pipeline for 2013 & 2016.

Doing nothing is simply not an option for your business – if you do not adapt your business plans to address sustainability issues you risk losing your clients, your investors, your staff to rivals and you will eventually have to face up to additional spend to continue to operate within the law.

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4. I hear the phrase ‘Green IT’ often but do not know what it means – can you explain it simply?

We have previously given a high-level definition here. IT today represents more than 2% of our global CO2 emissions, approximately the same as the amount contributed by the global aviation industry. For example, did you know that a company with just 25 PCs wastes around £420 on electricity and over 2 tonnes of CO2 annually through not shutting them down when not in use?4

Green IT aims to address the complete life-cycle of IT, including:

- sourcing the raw materials

- the manufacturing process

- transport to / from manufacturers, consumers and waste disposers

- the more efficient use of IT (this is the part people are most familiar with)

- the disposal and recycling of equipment and/or components.

Green IT also seeks to promote and encourage the use of IT to reduce carbon emissions in all areas of business (for example by using GPS receivers in a company’s fleet of vans to more efficiently plan daily delivery routes and reduce fuel costs and CO2 emissions) and also to support greener behaviour by staff (for example by providing incentives to turn off equipment which is not in use, recycle more or provide the opportunity to work from home).

4: Climate Savers Computing Initiative

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5. You mention the BCS / ISEB ‘Green IT Qualification’ – what exactly is this?
In 2009 the BCS (The Chartered Institute for IT), as part of its ongoing commitment to the understanding of the environmental issues associated with IT, developed a ‘The Green IT Qualification’. The qualification (administered by the Information Services Examination board, ISEB) provides successful candidates with an understanding of current regulations, legislation and policies, plus a working knowledge of the methods required to carry out carbon energy accounting and to create a green IT strategy. It also enables them to maximise energy efficiency and reduce costs within an organisation whilst maintaining a high level of service.

ISEB qualifications are widely accepted throughout the IT industry as ‘certified best practice’.

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6. What is the relevant legislation regarding energy assessment & management in commercial property?

The European Union’s “The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive” (EPBD) is the major legislation covering this area. In England & Wales the Department of Communities & Local Government (DCLG) has introduced measures to improve the energy efficiency of our buildings, including:

  • introducing Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) for properties providing A-G efficiency ratings and recommendations for improvement
  • requiring public buildings to display energy certificates (DECs)
  • requiring inspections for air conditioning systems
  • giving advice and guidance for boiler users

Since October 2008 all properties – homes, commercial and public buildings – when bought, sold, built or rented need an EPC. Larger public buildings also need to display an energy certificate.

In addition, the first inspection of all existing air-conditioning systems over 250 kW must have already occurred and the first inspection of all remaining air-conditioning systems over 12 kW must take place by January 2011.

Commercial properties and public buildings currently account for nearly 25% of the UK’s carbon emissions, contributing to global climate change. The way in which we light, heat and use buildings all contribute to this. Even small improvements to the energy performance and the way we use our buildings will have a significant effect on our fuel bills and carbon emissions.

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7. What does ‘Non-Domestic Energy Assessor, Level 3′ mean, what is accreditation and who are Elmhurst Energy?

In England and Wales the scheme to train and test the energy assessors required to produce Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) is managed, amongst others, by ‘The Awarding Body for the Built Environment’ (ABBE). All ABBE awards are nationally recognised and approved by Ofqual (The Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulator).

‘Non-Domestic Energy Assessor, Level 3′ means that the assessor is permitted to produce EPCs for existing buildings which do not have air-conditioning plant with a capacity greater than 12kW per chiller.

Additionally, all assessors need to belong to an government approved accreditation scheme (for Rock Energy Solutions, this is Elmhurst Energy) whose main function is to manage the ongoing quality standards of all EPCs produced and to ensure that all assessors are appropriately insured and maintain their level of knowledge through an programme of continuous professional development (CPD).

The credentials of all assessors can be verified by visiting the Landmark register for non-domestic energy assessors: Select ‘Assessor Type’ = ‘EPC level 3′ and ‘Accreditation Number’ enter EES/007296. Then click on ‘Find Energy Assessor’ to confirm our credentials.

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8. Are there any recognised standards I should be aiming for?

The main internationally recognised standard for environmental management is ‘ISO 14001: Environmental Management Systems’ which specifies actual requirements for an environmental management system and applies both to those environmental aspects over which the organisation has direct control and over which it can be expected to have an influence.

It is our view, however, particularly for businesses just starting to implement a green or sustainable business plan, that ISO14001, which is highly structured in its approach and management, is possibly better left until you have gained some first-hand experience of the challenges to be faced in establishing green policies and are also more aware of the resources required to fully maintain and manage them.

As an alternative standard, we recommend following The Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) ‘Acorn’ scheme which has a simper five phase approach. Acorn focuses on environmental improvements that are linked to business competitiveness and is flexible so that all types of organisation, whatever their size, can participate. More information can be found by clicking here. Rock Energy Solutions can, of course, help you through the phases to achieve the Acorn accreditation. Additionally the IEMA scheme is an excellent starting point for full ISO 14001 accreditation.

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9. I see many companies offering ‘free energy surveys’ or advice – how is Rock Energy Solutions different?

We think there are three main differences.

1. We can work with you on a full range of carbon reduction and energy management initiatives – from implementing Green IT to helping you get the best from your heating and lighting systems. We believe this combination gives you a better opportunity to both save money and avoid wasting our planet’s valuable natural resources.

2. We don’t see ourselves as consultants, but as your trusted advisors. We don’t just offer a free survey and then leave you to implement the solutions yourself – we partner with you to ensure that the agreed projects are implemented to time and within budget. Furthermore, we won’t leave you once a project is completed – we’ll help you monitor the ongoing savings and benefits and continually look for new ways to save you money. We’re with you for the long haul.

3. We are local – we understand local needs and concerns about our local environment. Don’t forget, we live here too!

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