A new report; Business Solutions Carbon Psychology, is out. It contains big news for energy efficiency.

‘Retail, manufacturing and administration firms would be the biggest beneficiaries of up to £860m in energy savings across Britain if a “carbon psychology” approach is taken to improve business energy management processes,’ says EDIE, describing the paper’s key findings.

The report makes it clear; technical change and behavioural change complement each other. In the real, low energy world therefore, unless people are engaged, efficiency isn’t going to be optimised, and the best carbon wins won’t be made.

The  LED retail lighting sector is one key area in which emphasising behaviour change could pay major dividends. Today, just 22% of employees were confident that they knew what actions to take to save energy at work, and just 16% were sure they have the authority to do it, the report argues.

But if every retail lighting company were to recommend a better carbon psychology approach alongside the latest LEDs, these figures could be addressed;

Indeed, the paper continues to confirm that the most powerful success can be achieved by combining technology improvements with behavioural change.

Bring the staff onside; now

npower Business Solutions (nBS), the firm behind the report, believes there is a huge opportunity for bigger businesses to build behaviour change, and they don’t even need to invest to make substantial savings.

EDIE quotes nBS’ carbon psychologist Phil Griffiths: “The benefits of behavioural change on the bottom line are clear. Energy efficiency improvements result in a more motivated workforce, a positive impact on the UK balance of payments and significant emissions reductions.”

Crucially, writes EDIE, nBS found retail could generate almost 20% in energy savings through behaviour change platforms. Administration and support companies could reach beyond 11% in savings, while large manufacturers like Tata Steel could realise savings of just under 11%.

And, future policy streamlining, alongside behaviour change, is something that retailers should also be aware of. DBEIS head of business energy tax and reporting Gary Shanahan told EDIE the report’s findings fit in well with both his, and his department’s wider objectives.

He said the report’s work was already outlining some of the business benefits offered up by government-led schemes such as ESOS, as well as “opening eyes” to the opportunities of the smart meter rollout.

When Government hints at emphasis on efficiency and behaviour change, retailers will do well to listen.

Real world implementation

At Greenlite, we’ve spoken before about M&S Head of Facilities Management Munish Dattas’s dream that by 2025, M&S will have a 100% LED estate across the UK, and be making inroads internationally towards similar goals.

Dattas is on record that about a quarter of the 36% energy benefit he’s achieved in retail was through communicating with people; influencing behaviour alongside tech.

Retail lighting solutions can do a lot to embed overall sustainability, but his lead shows staff engagement has to play a role in implementing positive change.

Dattas’ solution lies in communicating the benefits of LEDs within retail; helping staff understand LED lighting’s scope, and running trials to engage them in the process.

It’s yet more evidence of the report’s truths; you can do a lot with LEDs in retail. But you can do far more when you involve staff and your people too.