A new online tool which allows businesses to compare their energy management practices with others has been launched by EECA BUSINESS.

The Energy Management Journey Tool is a simple self-assessment tool which allows businesses to rate themselves in 6 key areas and then compares results against 450 other businesses across New Zealand.

The tool also tells users which areas of their energy use (including transport fuel use) they should focus on, recommends actions to take and their estimated savings potential, and the process to follow when developing a business’s energy management plan.

EECA BUSINESS General Manager Greg Visser says businesses use about 50% of New Zealand’s energy and generate more than 40% of energy-related carbon emissions.

“EECA estimates that on average businesses can cost effectively reduce their energy use by up to 20%, improving their bottom line and shrinking their carbon footprint,” Mr Visser says.

“But reducing energy usage requires knowing how well you are managing it, and this tool tells businesses what is involved, where to start, what to do next, and who can help them.”

Mr Visser says if all businesses took action, this could save the country $1.6 billion each year.

The tool was developed by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority with data from national end use energy consumption data, and from Energy NZ.

The tool is available on the EECA BUSINESS website https://www.eecabusiness.govt.nz/tools/energy-management-journey/

An EECA press release - Thursday 8 September 2016