ISO 50001:2018 is built on the management system concept of continuous improvement, making it easier for organisations to include energy management into their overall efforts to enhance quality and environmental management. The new ISO 50001:2018 standard for Energy Management Systems (EnMS) has the potential to protect our future by making a positive difference today and in the future. An efficient Energy Management System can assist your organisation to develop practices that would increase energy performance. When you put this management system in place, you should see a reduction in your energy expenses, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and other negative environmental impacts.
ISO 50001:2018 is intended for use by any organisation, public or private, regardless of size, activity, or geographical location. This means that every organisation, regardless of its present level of energy performance, may use ISO 50001:2018 to create an energy consumption baseline and gradually improve on it. ISO 50001:2018 was created for organisations that are devoted to reducing their environmental impact, saving resources, and increasing their financial profitability via effective energy management. The standard creates an international framework for energy supply, usage, and consumption in industrial, commercial, and institutional organisations.
- ISO 50001:2018 provides a framework of requirements for organisations to:
- Create policies for more efficient energy usage.
- Establish targets and objectives.
- Analyse consumption data to better understand and make choices regarding energy use.
- Measure outcomes.
- Evaluate each policy’s effectiveness.
- Constantly improve energy management.
This management approach entails creating and implementing an energy strategy, setting attainable objectives for energy consumption, and designing action plans to meet those targets while tracking progress. This might involve introducing new energy-efficient technology, minimising energy waste, or enhancing present processes to save money and resources. Although some are concerned with decreasing environmental effects and improving reputation, others are concerned with driving down costs and improving competitiveness. As we can see, adopting ISO 50001:2018 may provide a variety of benefits to a company, including:
- Helping the organisation enhance its energy performance by making better use of its energy-intensive assets.
- Improving energy performance which may bring immediate advantages to an organisation by maximising its use of energy sources and energy-related assets, lowering both cost and consumption.
- Applying a systematic approach to energy efficiency means monitoring energy consumption and resolving anomalies or occurrences that cause energy waste.
- Setting energy efficiency aims and objectives to achieve the energy policy or reviewing the policy’s effectiveness.
- Using data to better understand and make decisions about energy consumption and use.
- Raising energy awareness and dedication throughout the organisation.
- Enhancing organisations’ capacity to manage energy risks and potential consequences efficiently and effectively.
- Increased organisational competitiveness and lowers sensitivity to energy price fluctuations and energy supply.
- Increased productivity and fewer maintenance requirements. Then, by continually monitoring and increasing energy efficiency, businesses may realise long-term energy savings.
Using ISO 50001:2018 will assist you in making the best plans for leveraging renewable energy sources or finding more energy-efficient equipment to accomplish the same activities. Having said that, by implementing and being certified to ISO 50001:2018, businesses, and organisations may show to their customers, workers, investors, and regulators their commitment to sustainability. As a result, they get a competitive edge in the marketplace by demonstrating that they are decent corporate citizens. This can help them improve their brand, which is directly related to their marketing approach. Each organisation’s progress toward environmental and sustainability goals can encourage energy efficiency throughout their supply chains. In addition to assisting in better preparing for government- or utility-sponsored energy efficiency initiatives, carbon or energy levies, and international climate accords.
If this is something your organisation is looking to implement, WWISE can help you through the process of becoming ISO 50001:2018 certified with training, gap assessments, and certification audits. You can contact WWISE on 08610 99473 or email us at admin@wwise.co.za. You can also contact us on 021 525 9159 (Cape Town).