Why join CitySwitch and improve energy efficiency?
As a tenant, you can significantly reduce the greenhouse gas emissions your office produces by improving your energy efficiency. With increasing environmental awareness, staff, customers, suppliers and stakeholders are demanding green
credentials.
As a CitySwitch Signatory your business can demonstrate and promote its commitment to environmental sustainability. You will also reduce operating costs, gain a competitive advantage and promote your business as a greenhouse-friendly place to work.
Apart from saving money, enhancing office comfort and improving staff morale, CitySwitch Green Office offers a unique opportunity for your business to demonstrate environmental leadership.
Energy efficiency is easy
By implementing a range of energy efficiency measures, Signatories significantly reduce their impact on the natural environment, save money and reduce office greenhouse gas emissions. Examples include:
- lighting upgrades including occupancy sensors and timers
- conversion of desktops to laptops
- CRT monitors to flat screen monitors
- using energy efficient office equipment (e.g. ENERGY STAR® rated)
- turning off equipment each night at the power source
- activating sleep mode on equipment where possible
- installation of shading and blinds on windows
- installation of 'on demand' hot water heater switches
DECC Tenant Energy Management Handbook
Signatories receive the Tenant Energy Management Handbook via email at no cost. Produced by the Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC), the handbook is the first comprehensive guide to effective and profitable energy management for tenants in office buildings.
It contains a wealth of information and resources that will help you improve the greenhouse performance of your premises, reduce energy use and costs and achieve your CitySwitch Commitment.
Organisational involvement
A well-designed building can perform badly if employees are not energy conscious, so it's important to engage with staff from the outset. Ensure they are continually motivated to support your energy management plan by keeping them informed and involved in the process, and emphasising individual responsibility for energy efficiency outcomes.
Getting management buy-in for projects can sometimes be difficult, especially if actions are likely to require capital outlay. The challenge of financing an energy efficiency upgrade should not deter you from initiating one - you can consider Energy Performance Contracting and cover your project costs with guaranteed savings.
Resources
Energy tips for small commercial tenants (PDF | 48kb)
For more ways to shrink your impact visit resourcesmart.vic.gov.au
