Defining corporate energy policy and strategy to achieve carbon emissions reduction in non-energy intensive multi-site industrial organisations

Abstract

Research on the components and characteristics of long-term energy policy and strategies in large organisations is limited. Non-energy intensive multinationals do not face the environmental regulations required by their energy intensive counterparts, further widening the “energy efficiency gap” due to missed opportunities. This work investigates the development of long-term energy policy and associated strategy for nonenergy intensive multi-site organisations via a systematic literature review identifying essentials of energy policy, strategy and associated barriers/drivers to energy efficiency. Highlights include a review of energy policy guidelines and standards, an analysis of the parameters influencing decision-making practices, including the non-energy benefits of energy efficiency investments and a study of 6 top-ranked sustainable global companies to identify best-practices. Subsequently, this work proposes a methodology to formulate ‘corporate energy policy and strategy’ for nonenergy intensive industries. A case study is presented with findings on initial deployment in a Fortune 500 multinational.