Buildings

Energy use in buildings accounts for nearly a half of a company’s carbon footprint. However, several measures can reduce this, ranging from simple efficiency measures to investment in renewable energy when a company commits to switching to green. In some cases, there is funding available to help companies pay for these changes.

How to Reduce Energy Use

• Avoid heating and cooling or open windows simultaneously.
• Set thermostats to lower temperatures in workshops and storage areas.
• Relax temperature controls so that heating and cooling systems do not operate if temperatures are 18-24ºC .
• Introduce zonal control and timers.
• Reduce your hot water tank thermostat to 60ºC .
• Insulate building fabric and improve window glazing.
• Update heating and cooling systems.
• Switch to energy efficient bulbs and LED lighting.
• Put lighting on sensors.
• Turn it off whenever you can and don’t leave equipment on standby.
• Choose A - A++ rated domestic appliances.
• Use laptops rather than desktops.
• Reduce all electrical requirements with voltage optimisation equipment (only suitable for larger organisations or organisations within large buildings with an amenable landlord).

Explore Alternative Energy Sources

• Switch to a green energy supplier.
• Consider building integrated renewables such as solar electricity – you might even be able to generate an income.
• Explore the potential for district heating and cooling and combined cooling heat and power – London’s Heat Map is a good starting point (suitable for larger organisations or groups of organisations).
• Look into funds for dedicated off-site renewable installations (only suitable for larger organisations or groups of organisations).

Reusing and Recycling

• Share and reuse materials.
• Recycle office waste.
• Compost food waste.
• Use mains drinking water and reusable glasses.
• Recycle hangers.

Access Finance to Make Workspaces More Energy Efficient

Most fashion designers work to tight margins and therefore capital is in short supply. Despite this, there are a range of incentives available to organisations of all sizes to support investment in energy efficiency and renewable energy:

• The Carbon Trust provides 0% loans for a range of equipment including lighting refits and solar hot water.
• Enhanced Capital Allowances are also available to make investments more tax efficient.
• The Feed-In Tariff (FIT) for small scale renewable energy investments significantly. improves the pay-back period, as the organisation is paid a premium for any electricity sold to the grid.
• Investment – there are companies with the sole purpose of fitting renewable energy for other organisations and splitting the financial benefits.

More information is available from The Carbon Trust, DECC and Ofgem.

Fashion Shows and Presentations

Fashion shows and presentations are an important way to showcase and promote a brand and are held in a mix of indoor and outdoor venues. Both locations involve using a large amount of energy. However, there are various ways a brand can reduce energy use when putting on a show.

Heating, Cooling and Ventilation

• Choose venues with lower heating, cooling and ventilation requirements.
• Avoid heating and cooling simultaneously.
• Set thermostats to lower temperatures in storage areas.
• Relax temperature controls so that heating and cooling systems do not operate if temperatures are 18-24ºC.

Lighting

• Choose a venue with low energy lighting.
• Switch to energy efficient bulb and LED lighting, for show and working lights (depending on scale and type of installation: £100-5000, savings in 1-2 years | light effort).
• Reduce exterior lighting and switch off during day or when not in use (variable costs, savings in a year | one-off effort).

Equipment

• Turn it off whenever you can.
• Sign up to the Mayor’s Green Procurement Code (a support service for London organisations committed to reducing their environmental impact).

Explore Alternative Energy Sources

• Choose a venue with renewable energy.
• For outdoor events, switch from diesel to waste vegetable oil biodiesel.
• Use temporary renewables such as solar electricity.
• Consider funds for dedicated off-site renewable installations.

Reduce Waste, Reuse and Recycle

• Reuse staging, sets, cloths and carpets.
• Work with suppliers and contractors to incorporate waste reduction and other green practices.
• Reduce waste through catering, for example by coordinating food packaging choices with waste management options.
• Use mains drinking water and reusable glasses.
• Reuse show programmes.
• Recycle catering waste.
• Compost food waste.

Travel

Business travel accounts for more than half of the footprint for a fashion brand (excluding staff commuting). Travelling in a more energy efficient and aware manner is, therefore, a key area of focus when switching to green. Organisations within London are fortunate to benefit from a strong public transport system andTransport for London has published a number of best practice guides giving examples of a wide range of measures your business could adopt to reduce travel, and minimise the impact of staff and visitor travel.

Reduce Travel

• Use telephone, web and video conferencing.
• Combine trips where possible.
• Use flexible working arrangements, such as allowing staff to work while on the move and from home, or to work flexible hours.

Reduce the Impact of Travel

• Use trains rather than cars or planes.
• Switch to economy from business or first class.
• Switch to public transport from cars.
• Consider setting up a car share scheme or a car club in the company and use smaller, more fuel efficient cars and or lease electric vehicles.
• Provide season ticket loans for staff.
• Encourage staff to walk.
• Make it easy for staff to cycle – provide secure cycle storage and shower facilities, set up a “cycle to work” scheme.

Key points

• Consider how to reduce energy use.
• Explore alternative energy sources.
• Reuse and recycle wherever you can.
• Access finance to make workspaces more energy efficient.
• Try to use heating, cooling, lighting and ventilation.
• Explore alternative energy sources.
• Reduce waste, reuse and recycle.
• Reduce travel and the impact of travel as much as possible.

Conclusion

Fashion companies’ energy usage generates a significant carbon footprint and has a considerable impact on the environment. However nowadays there are a wide range of measures (some which are simple, some more complex) which can reduce and improve these. Switching to green offers enormous benefits for a company.

TfL Business Engagement Team
Carbon Trust