Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) is seeking views on their proposals to strengthen the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS).
The specific aims of improving the scheme are:
- To increase the number of ESOS participants that take action to reduce energy use by
raising the quality of their ESOS audit; - To increase the carbon and cost savings from ESOS by increasing the number and
scope of ESOS recommendations taken up by participants; - To ensure that ESOS recommendations are consistent with the UK’s net zero
commitments.
ESOS is a mandatory energy assessment scheme for organisations in the UK that meet the qualification criteria.
Administered by the Environment Agency, the scheme seeks to improve business energy efficiency by providing participating businesses ‘trusted, high-quality information’ about potential energy savings they can make.
Acting on these energy efficiency recommendations provides participating businesses with the opportunity to reduce their energy consumption and costs, as well as contribute to the UK’s net zero commitment through reducing their emissions.
Following on from the 2020 Post-Implementation Review of the scheme, the new consultation seeks to improve the uptake of energy efficiency measures, and increase the benefits for participating businesses.
Views are sought on the following options to improve the scheme:
- improving the quality of audits through increased standardisation of reporting requirements
- the inclusion of a net zero element to audits
- requiring public disclosure of high-level recommendations by participants
BEIS is also seeking views and evidence on two additional options to improve the scheme, potentially in the longer term:
- extending the scope of the scheme to include medium-sized businesses
- mandating action on audit recommendations
This consultation is supported by research on how net zero elements could be incorporated into audits that are carried out under the ESOS scheme.
The consultation closes at
More information about this consultation and how to take part is available on the Government website.
