🚨 Energy efficiency plan: New measures for businesses

“It is the general mobilization that will give results”, said Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne on Thursday, October 6, 2022 at the conclusion of the presentation of the sobriety plan by the government.

The energy sobriety plan is The road map which should allow France to spend the winter without power cuts.

To deal with this situation, but also to accelerate the energy transition, the government is aiming for a 10% reduction in energy consumption in France. To encourage private companies to adopt this energy sobriety plan, the State will create the platform”Businesses are committed“.

In fact, what are the new measures for businesses?

Encourage remote work

Teleworking can save energy if it is organized in such a way that the building could be completely closed (during a 3 or 4 day bridge for example), and therefore consume much less energy.

In the event of significant tensions on the electrical network, remote work may be triggered for some businesses in order to maximize the energy savings associated with activity in buildings.

Anti-waste actions

The government called for more responsible management of lightings, for example by recommending that lighting times be reduced or the intensity of lighting be adjusted.

With respect to The temperature in professional premises and buildings, businesses will promote energy savings:

• 19°C for heating;
• 26°C for air conditioning;
• 16°C for a building that is unoccupied for 48 hours (on weekends);
• 8°C for a building that is empty for more than 48 hours.

Of course, by respecting certain strict temperature guidelines specific to each company.

Anti-waste actions can also involve: carrying out an energy performance diagnosis buildings. Thus, professionals will be able to identify the positions on which to act (isolation of infrastructures, etc.).

Finally, Establishing accurate monitoring of energy consumption, by installing control tools, monitoring and measuring energy consumption in real time.

Act on energy efficiency

Several solutions can be put in place in order to act on energy efficiency businesses:

• Promote technical solutions that consume less energy (equipment, telecommunications, low-consumption lighting, etc.);
• Develop an autonomous heating system. Install, when possible, heat pumps, photovoltaic panels, etc.;
• Develop sobriety clauses in contracts with all stakeholders. Professionals can engage their suppliers, subcontractors and customers in energy efficiency action plans through the contracting of specific clauses.
  

Promoting sustainable mobility

Mobility is one of the main axes of the energy efficiency plan. In fact, it represents”32% of final energy consumption in France“according to the French government.

The government encourages French people to take the train and public transport rather than the car, “when possible”, and recommends taking the train rather than the plane for business trips of less than 4 hours. All in all, common sense.

Promoting sustainable mobility also means encouraging company employees to use public transport, carpooling, or even cycling when travelling from home to work.

Boosting the sobriety approach

Boosting the sobriety approach is equivalent to designating a ambassador within the company in charge of coordinating, advising and controlling the measures decided upon.
It is also important to raise awareness and train employees about eco-friendly actions like:

• Switch off standby devices such as screens;
• Optimize digital uses to limit the consumption of devices and servers;
• Prefer the charging of electrical devices during off-peak hours.

Finally, in consultation with the social partners, the idea is to define “a trajectory for reducing energy consumption” by setting goals to reduce the company's energy consumption and to present an action plan in favor of energy sobriety to the social and economic committee or to trade union representatives.

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