You must work on changes in both the long and the short term. Create more energy-efficient day-to-day operations whilst making long-term changes to incorporate renewable energy. We recommend you use a framework that distinguishes ‘running the business’ from ‘changing the business’. This way, you create an overview and break down your journey into smaller steps.

Remember: the energy you don’t use is the most sustainable energy. Looking at energy efficiency is the first thing to do. If you haven’t already, put a monitoring system in place to find so-called ‘energy hot spots’. Often coming from equipment that’s old or not being maintained properly. Also, smart monitoring systems can accommodate volatile renewable energy sources. Think of peak-shaving, which relies heavily on monitoring and sharing data to steer energy use. And allows you to use the most energy when it is cheapest.

By incorporating energy efficiency in your day-today operations, you can bring both costs and emissions down on a structural basis. Make sure that the people who use the energy are incentivized to reduce energy. By creating awareness for its strategic importance and rewarding ‘good energy behavior’. We also recommend you use a continuous improvement structure, especially adapted for energy management. Working to create an ‘energy excellence’ culture.