In October 2005, EEF won £20,000 of Carbon Trust funding to implement a project that will contribute towards carbon dioxide savings in the UK.
We put the funding to use through giving companies access to a software tool that will help companies record their energy usage and calculate associated carbon emissions. Through targeting 250 companies in the first phase, EEF hope to save 20,000 tonnes of CO2 in the first year, rising to half a million tonnes over ten years.
Using the network of regional EEF associations, a series of Roadshows were held around the country earlier this year to help companies identify energy efficiency improvements on their sites. The half-day seminars gave companies practical advice on specific improvements they can make to maximise efficiency and reduce energy wastage.
We had hoped that the project will plug an ‘information gap’ on the energy usage and carbon emissions associated with small to medium sized enterprises, although information from companies of all sizes is always welcome.
Invitation to Participate
As a followup to the Roadshows, EEF is now developing approximately 20 case studies of companies that have implemented and companies that have not implemented energy efficiency measures.
As the representative body of manufacturing, EEF are keen to identify ways in which we can help the industry remain competitive especially in the face of the CO2 challenge. We are engaged with the Treasury and other Government Departments on developing policy to address this issue. We need to understand what barriers are preventing companies from implementing energy efficiency measures, and what additional help manufacturers and other companies need to implement these measures in order to feed this into national policy development.
If you are interested in participating in such a study, please contact Wendy Stephenson at wstephenson@eef.org.uk. This would involve a visit to you on site by Wendy this summer to discuss with you your concerns or successes with energy efficiency and what help you think business really needs.