A resource efficiency review involves assessment and breakdown of the organisation’s resource consumption and identification of improvement measures that can be taken to reduce cost and associated environmental impacts. The scope of the review will be agreed with the organisation but may include energy, waste, water, fuel, paper and other key resources. This option is best suited to organisations that have a significant use of a number of resource types but are unsure of exactly where and how improvements and cost savings can be made. The review will include quantification of footprint and prioritisation of improvement options.

All of our projects involve working closely with people on a one to one basis. However if you are seeking a more strategic approach to wider staff engagement we would be happy to discuss various options including workshops and awareness sessions. We believe that proving relevance is a necessary precursor to effective and sustained action on sustainability. Our sessions facilitate understanding of how various aspects of sustainability are relevant to people’s personal well-being, their professional role and fulfilling organisational objectives. Our process ensures the necessary information is made available for people to make these connections and follow through with the practicalities of identifying and implementing improvements.

An Environmental Management System (EMS) drives continual improvement in environmental management practices to achieve environmental and cost savings. This process goes well beyond an initial cost saving audit to build internal capability and capacity to achieve longer term goals of efficiency and sustainability. An EMS provides a framework through which environmental performance can be monitored, controlled and improved. For those seeking to certify or self-declare meeting a recognised standard, the international standard in environmental management, ISO14001, has been the standard of choice for some time.

An effective EMS integrates with existing business processes and systems and will include:
-A continual assessment of how environmental impact can be reduced
-An environmental policy
-An environmental improvement programme
-A training and awareness programme
-Procedures to control activities with a significant environmental impact
-Regular auditing of the system to ensure effective operation
-A formal review of the EMS by senior management
-Tracking and recording environmental performance against set targets
-Provision of a clear audit trail

Is sustainability relevant to delivering your business plan and supporting objectives? Eco affinity can assist by establishing the relevance of sustainability to achieving your goals and proposing operational strategy to address key risks and opportunities. We have experience in developing operational systems and activities that deliver organisational objectives.

Capital works, particularly redevelopment projects, present a golden opportunity to bring forward resource and energy efficiency opportunities through their integration into larger projects. The benefits are numerous and include minimising disruption to operations (through consolidation of projects and reduced breakdown of new equipment) and lowering overheads at the earliest opportunity. Integration of our support through the planning and development process will:

• Identify potential opportunities to become more resource efficient and accomplish related objectives
• Support staff and suppliers to identify products that meet the organisation’s objectives and strike the optimum balance across all areas of sustainability.
•  Identify realistic budget costs for the first stage of application through supplier quotations.
• Identify preferred products/solutions through monitored trials and demonstrations (where practical) undertaken in conjunction with staff and suppliers.
• Ensure key objectives and the finer detail of staff requirements remain firmly in sight throughout all phases.
• Identify whole life costing for the identified projects.

We are accredited to assist with meeting the following pieces of legislation.

Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS)

The ESOS regulations 2014 introduces a mandatory energy assessment scheme for organisations in the UK that meet the qualification criteria. The Environment Agency is the UK scheme administrator.

Organisations that qualify for ESOS must carry out ESOS assessments every 4 years. These assessments are audits of the energy used by their buildings, industrial processes and transport to identify cost-effective energy saving measures. By 5 December 2015 qualifying organisations must carry out their ESOS assessment and notify the Environment Agency.

Your organisation qualifies if, on 31 December 2014, it meets the ESOS definition of a large undertaking. Corporate groups qualify if at least one UK group member meets the ESOS definition of a large undertaking.

A large undertaking is an organisation that carries out a trade or business which either:

• employs at least 250 people
• employs less than 250 people but has an annual turnover in excess of 50 million euro (£38,937,777), and an annual balance sheet total in excess of 43 million euro (£33,486,489)

For full qualification criteria and information on the regulations please contact us or go to the government web-site for ESOS

Display Energy Certificates (DEC)

In accordance with the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, a DEC and advisory report are required for buildings with a total useful floor area (see definitions at Annex B) over 500m2 that are occupied in whole or part by public authorities and frequently visited by the public.

A DEC shows the energy performance of a building based on actual energy consumption as recorded
over the last 12 months within the validity period of the DEC. The advisory report accompanies the DEC and contains recommendations for improving the energy performance of the building.

Where the building has a total useful floor area of more than 1,000m², the DEC is valid for 12 months. The accompanying advisory report is valid for seven years. Where the building has a total useful floor area of between 500m² and 1000m², the DEC and advisory report are valid for 10 years. Source: Improving the Energy Efficiency of Our Buildings (DCLG)