Survey Results: Top 5 Takeaways from Proactive Energy Leaders in Managing their Sustainable Energy Plans

Article by Constellation

In 2022, Constellation worked with Smart Energy Decisions (SED) to field a sustainability survey of more than 100 energy buyers and decision-makers from the institutional, industrial, commercial, and government sectors. These forward-thinking energy managers shared beneficial insight into how they proactively manage their sustainability strategies to meet carbon-free targets, while managing their budgets and unique objectives. The survey findings offer valuable information for customers who are just beginning or have yet to start their own transition to a more sustainable future.

Key Drivers, Barriers, and Learning from Experienced Energy Managers on Sustainability Energy Programs

1. Energy Efficiency upgrades are vital in getting an energy sustainability plan off the ground. Nearly 95% of respondents planned to tap energy efficiency upgrades to meet their sustainable energy goals. Upgrades to lighting and HVAC can meaningfully reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by reducing usage, resulting in potential energy savings. Unsurprisingly, it’s common for large and small organizations alike to begin their journey toward greater energy sustainability and resiliency by completing such system and technology upgrades.
2. Taking control of your energy data is a sustainability game-changer.
   Once you can confidently assess where you’ve been, you can determine the best way forward; arriving at improved operational energy efficiency is no different. That is why nearly 77% of those energy decision-makers surveyed depend on a Utility Expense Management Platform to deliver energy usage data that helps them better understand their use trends across their entire operational footprint. With this real-time insight, sustainability decision-making becomes more specific, and tracking progress toward sustainability goals is much easier.
3. GHG baseline, targets, and goals are known and reported.
   Over 80% of energy leaders polled understand where their GHG emissions originate and transparently report them using benchmarks they have established or those determined by using science-based targets. This substantial participation indicates that successful energy managers comprehend the importance of complying with the federal and state requirements for GHG reporting while realizing their customers appreciate clarity regarding decarbonization efforts.
4. They are honest about potential energy sustainability budget barriers while meeting them head-on. It can be difficult to remember that even those who have made progress on transitioning from conventional to clean were not without challenges. Every business, government entity, or organization has to assess operational budgets to realize sustainable energy goals. Nearly 80% of those surveyed mentioned expense as a critical consideration in implementing plans. And nearly a third of those respondents noted that having a vehicle to finance component of their sustainability plan was a barrier to implementing their carbon-free goals.
5. Achieving greater energy sustainability is about lowering emissions. Perhaps not surprisingly, survey participants clearly stated that energy savings weren’t the most important factor driving their sustainable energy programs. Nearly 85% said that a desire to reduce emissions related to GHG stemmed from a commitment to a more sustainable future. Almost 75% also shared that embarking on and maintaining a plan to achieve greater sustainability was “ethically the right thing to do.”

No matter where you are along the road to sustainability, Constellation can help you design, implement, and measure your sustainable energy program. Don’t travel your sustainability journey alone, contact us today to start a discussion.