Decision details

To propose the council adopts a revised Energy Policy.

The council has committed to implement a certified energy management system to provide a recognised, structured approach for the management of energy and energy performance improvement. The system it implemented and currently operates has been externally certified by an auditor to BS EN 16001:2009 in Energy Management.  This standard required the council to have a written Energy Policy, which was approved by cabinet member delegated decision in February 2011.

The council reports its energy consumption and carbon emissions on an annual basis for the Carbon Reduction Energy Efficiency Scheme (CRC) and good performance in the national Performance League Table depends on having good energy management systems in place. A certified energy management system therefore helps the council’s reputation nationally.

In June 2011, the international organisation for standardisation (ISO) released a new standard in Energy Management, BS ISO 50001:2011 which replaces the standard to which the council is currently certified (BS EN 16001:2009). In order to maintain certification, it is necessary for the council to upgrade its energy management system to the new ISO standard.

A baseline assessment of the council’s system has been made by the external auditor against this new ISO standard and an upgrade path determined. A key action required for certification is to revise the council’s Energy Policy to make it compatible with the new ISO standard. The energy policy was already scheduled for review in May 2012.

Details of proposed policy amendments:

1.       The policy includes two additional council commitments within the key goals section in line with the new standard: the first commitment considers procurement and the second design.  It is proposed that these two commitments are expressed in the council’s Energy Policy’s Key Goals section as follows:

·       Improving the energy performance of procured goods and services when assessed over their operating lifetime;

·       Improving energy performance in the design of new, modified and renovated facilities, equipment, systems and processes.

2.     BS ISO 50001:2011 requires the council to take a broader view on energy management and has introduced the term ‘energy performance’. Energy performance includes: energy use, the manner or kind of application of energy; energy consumption, the amount of energy used; and energy efficiency, the relationship between energy output and energy input.  The term ‘energy performance’ has been substituted or introduced throughout the policy as appropriate.

3.     The new policy’s review date will be May 2014.

The council is already committed to carbon reduction targets, improving the management of resources and compliance with environmental legislation. This policy will help enable a structured approach for their management through operation of a best practice energy management system.

1.       The council could decide not to make the above amendments to its Energy Policy.

The council would be unable to secure certification to the new standard in Energy Management, BS ISO 50001:2011 without a revision to the existing policy.  By implementing a nationally recognised energy management system which inherently drives performance improvement, the council is best placed to improve its energy performance and carbon emissions, which in turn affects its reputation and is also more likely to improve its position in the national CRC Performance League Table.

2.       The council could decide to revise its Energy Policy.

With the revised Energy Policy, the council would be able to secure certification to the new standard in Energy Management, BS ISO 50001:2011, thus demonstrating an active commitment to good energy management.

The council’s Energy Policy was revised in consultation with the Energy Resilience Team, Procurement and Energy Services and was taken to the meeting of the council’s ECO Board on 29th May 2012 where it was approved and recommendation made for its adoption by cabinet member delegated decision. The Board oversees the development of climate change strategy and has representation from across the council’s services, including Fleet Services.