While many sustainability and other CSR initiatives require some initial investment, it is clear that the right initiatives can yield ongoing financial savings with a relatively fast return on investment. Factors that yield financial gains include:
- Improved energy efficiency reduces utility bills
- Reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions also reduces financial commitments under initiatives such as the CRC
- Improving/upgrading plant and equipment reduces maintenance costs
- Effective waste management reduces overheads
- Engagement with the local community improves profile, builds on the customer base and increases turnover
- A sustainable philosophy can yield more innovation and improve competitiveness
The following illustrate how some organisations have already profited from a more sustainable approach:
- An energy saving campaign by BT is expected to save around £15m and 75,000 tonnes of CO2 by March 2011
- Optimising boiler performance at three Communities & Local Government sites achieved average gas savings of 12% with a payback of 1.5 years
- Through a range of measures, EDF Energy has already saved over £1m on energy and transportation, with CO2 savings of 5,500 tonnes
- A tri-generation district energy scheme at MediaCity UK will reduce carbon emissions by 29% with energy cost savings of £560,000 per annum, compared to conventional methods
- Energy efficiency initiatives at Lloyds TSB have reduced energy costs by £2.5m per annum since 2002, equivalent to 64,000 tonnes of CO2
- A lighting upgrade at Everards Brewery is expected to save around £15,000 per annum on electricity, with additional savings on maintenance costs
- Combined heat and power (CHP) projects at United Utilities during 2007/2008 have saved £3.9 million and 43,000 tonnes of carbon