What is he role of ISO 50001 in your net zero future?

Matthew Margetts evaluates how ISO 50005:2021 can help SMEs achieve net zero carbon emissions

In 2019, the UK parliament passed legislation that requires the government to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and effectively make the country net zero. Net zero occurs when the balance of greenhouse gas emissions produced is equal to or less than the amount removed from the atmosphere. In the race to net zero, reducing carbon emissions is at the forefront of the global environmental, social and governance (ESG) agenda.

Combating the damaging consequences of climate change is at the forefront of the global agenda, and SMEs have an integral role to play. Better energy management is a key consideration for small to medium organisations looking to reduce their emissions. The ISO 50005:2021 provides guidelines to support and simplify the implementation of an energy management system for SMEs.

SMEs are lagging

A survey conducted by the SME Climate Hub found that 63% of small business owners are concerned that they do not have the right skills and knowledge to tackle climate change; this despite eight out of 10 participants rating reducing emissions a high priority, and 96% of SMEs citing that it’s ‘the right thing to do’. The survey also revealed that over 80% of businesses are working to reduce energy consumption and waste, 64% are investing in employee education to help combat greenhouse gas emissions, and 52% are upgrading facilities and equipment. 

The impact of SMEs cannot be underestimated. Although each small business has a relatively moderate carbon footprint on an individual scale, these small businesses have a huge collective impact on both the planet and on their communities. To limit the effects of climate change, it’s imperative that every business has the tools they need to prioritise climate action.

How can ISO 50005:2021 help SMEs achieve net zero carbon emissions?

While the ISO 50005:2021 standard shares many common elements with its predecessor, ISO 50001:2018, it doesn’t cover all of its conditions, but instead builds a foundation for businesses to work towards the demands of ISO 50001:2018. Unlike large firms, most small businesses don’t have the resources to work through rigorous implementation documents. The intent of ISO 50005:2021 is to provide tangible resources to help organisations improve energy efficiency.

Although there is a long road to travel to meet the 2050 deadline for net zero carbon emissions, ISO 50005:2021 has a vital role to play in assisting SMEs with that all-important first step. ISO 50005:2021 focuses on energy management and energy efficiency and provides a pathway to compliance with the Energy Saving Opportunity Scheme (ESOS). 

Features of ISO 50005:2021:

Robust framework for delivering energy performance improvement

Helps businesses understand how to reduce consumption and improve energy efficiency

Allows you to set year-on-year improvement targets for your energy sources

Focus on providing training to your team and subcontractors to help ensure that everyone involved can help you reduce your energy demand

Helps you work towards ISO 50001

The benefits of implementing the standard induce reducing your energy bills, saving money, saving carbon and giving your supply chain and stakeholders the confidence that you have your energy risk and opportunities under control.

Start with an energy-monitoring partner

Do you know the driving factors behind your business’s energy use? Many small businesses don’t. An important part of ISO 50005:2021 is organising and strategically understanding your energy use and identifying opportunities. So, where to start? Although certification is beneficial to your organisation in so many ways, the progress of attaining and maintaining the standard can seem overwhelming. Using the services of an energy monitoring partner such as Smarter Technologies helps you implement the infrastructure, data, software, hardware, and documents needed for an audit and certification.

Small business, big impact

Small businesses have an important part to play in the move towards net zero. Realising energy efficiency improvements through smart energy monitoring can help your business go further and faster towards reaching net zero targets.

Matthew Margetts is Director of Sales and Marketing at Smarter Technologies.