This is Part 2 of a 2-part series. Check out Part 1 here.
Now that we have discussed the nuts and bolts of structuring a program-wide decarbonization roadmap at the enterprise level, it’s time to talk about the good stuff: the benefits!
So, how can these steps create real-world benefits for an organization?
Let’s explore the benefits of implementing strategic decarbonization roadmaps as a smarter way to facilitate the implementation of long-term capital plans, including how it can contribute to a more effective return in reducing carbon emissions:
COST SAVINGS AND LONG-TERM BENEFITS
Implementing energy efficiency measures not only contributes to carbon reduction, but also generates significant cost savings. By investing in energy-efficient technologies and practices, organizations can achieve substantial financial benefits over the long term, reducing operational expenses and freeing up resources for other critical areas. Organizations can also leverage these roadmaps to establish creative financing pathways, like a green fund, that provides continuous opportunities to scale the positive impact an organization is making.
GETTING EVERYONE ON THE SAME PAGE
Involving different intra-organizational stakeholders such as Facilities, Engineering, Finance, and other relevant teams can create better collaboration between various departments. Getting these teams to team up means less silo action and more collaboration.bring additional visibility and accountability toward decarbonization. But the collaboration doesn’t stop with just the right organizational departments. Looping in building tenants, employees, and even potential customers with sustainability education and awareness campaigns can emphasize the importance of saving energy from all parties, and nudge folks to change their habits to make an organization’s sustainability approach a fully comprehensive action plan.
CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
Smart planning isn’t just about today – it’s about what’s coming next. Rather than treating energy efficiency as a one-time project, organizations can leverage the roadmap to identify and execute on new opportunities as technologies evolve and best practices emerge. As technology advancements and market dynamics evolve, emerging decarbonization solutions may become more viable, either from a cost or carbon reduction perspective, or may even enter the market for the first time. A well-thought-out roadmap lets you stay flexible and jump on these innovations when they come up. For example, an organization’s initial roadmap may not have considered the potential of emerging off-site renewable energy technologies. By building in flexibility to re-allocate these budgets and dollars each year, organizations can then consider a pathway to integrate off-site renewable energy sources, such as virtual power purchase agreements (VPPAs) for solar or wind power, into their long-term decarbonization strategy.
SCALE, SCALE, SCALE
A well-designed roadmap isn’t focused on just a few high-priority buildings – it provides the scalability and replicability needed to implement across an organization’s entire portfolio. Once successful energy efficiency projects are piloted in a few buildings, the roadmap allows for their replication across similar facilities. By standardizing processes, technologies, and project delivery methods, organizations can efficiently implement projects at scale, reducing costs and saving time. This approach ensures that the benefits (and sometimes, painful lessons learned) from one project can be extended to multiple locations, maximizing energy savings and carbon reduction across the entire portfolio.
Taking the time to build a strategic decarbonization roadmap that goes beyond a one-time effort can provide a wealth of benefits for organizations. By establishing a framework for long-term energy management, organizations can achieve sustained energy savings, reduce carbon emissions, and position themselves as leaders in sustainability. As more companies embrace the challenge of achieving carbon neutrality, strategic decarbonization roadmaps will be an invaluable tool in their journey towards a greener and more sustainable world.
Want more?
Read on about successful decarbonization roadmaps Altura has designed and launched for world-class brands like American Honda Motor Co. to reduce building emissions and achieve corporate carbon reduction goals nation-wide.
