Environmental guidance for your business in Northern Ireland & Scotland
Buildings are responsible for around 40 per cent of the UK's carbon emissions, with business properties accounting for around half of that.
There are plenty of simple, low-cost measures you can take to cut energy use within your buildings and lower CO2 emissions. These include installing movement-sensitive light sensors in toilets and other little-used areas and turning down the thermostat by a couple of degrees.
There may be additional things you can do - such as installing double-glazing and improving roof insulation - to help make buildings more airtight.
You can consider installing Combined Heat and Power (CHP) systems, particularly when a planned replacement of boilers or heating systems is due.
If you are having new premises built, or you are making structural changes to your existing premises, you must make sure they meet the requirements of:
Northern Ireland: DFP: Building regulations
Scottish Government: Energy performance of buildings (PDF, 1.79MB)
All commercial buildings require an energy performance certificate (EPC) when they are bought, let or sold. An EPC indicates how energy efficient a building and its services are. An EPC also contains recommendations for cost-effective changes that can be made to improve the building's energy efficiency and cut carbon emissions.
You must make sure you comply with the requirements of the European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. These include getting your air-conditioning systems regularly inspected and obtaining an energy performance certificate when you construct, sell or rent buildings.
Northern Ireland: DFP: Energy Performance Certificates
Scottish Government: Energy Performance Certificates
In Scotland, owners of non-domestic buildings must assess the energy performance of their buildings and produce an action plan to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. This must be passed on to new owners if the building is sold. There are provisions that make clear when the improvements outlined in the action plan must be carried out.
The Assessment of Energy Performance of Non-domestic Buildings (Scotland) Regulations 2016
You may be eligible for a number of tax breaks if you introduce energy efficiency measures. See the page in this guideline: Tax breaks to encourage energy efficiency
Carbon Trust: Loans for energy saving equipment
Zero Waste Scotland has produced a series of free, online training modules for SMEs. The training will help develop the skills and knowledge needed to put in place effective resource efficiency measures in your business. They deal with energy, waste and water efficiency. You can work through them at your own speed, choosing the modules that are relevant to your business.
Department of Finance and Personnel
Department of Finance and Personnel: Improving the energy performance of buildings
Department of Finance and Personnel: Energy Performance Certificates
Scotland
Scottish Government: Energy Performance of Buildings
Scottish Government: Energy Performance Certificates
How climate change affects your business
How to cut carbon emissions from energy use
How to cut carbon emissions from business travel
How to cut carbon emissions from business buildings
How to design low-carbon products
How to find suppliers of low-carbon products
Tax breaks to encourage energy efficiency
Comply with emissions trading requirements
International climate change projects and the carbon offset market
How to get involved with Clean Development Mechanism and Joint Implementation projects
Groundwater in Northern Ireland, DAERA have produced a leaflet to raise awareness about this untapped resource
EU Exit, EU Exit useful information
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