Guides & tools Guides & tools
Feel free to browse. Subjects range from energy efficiency, as you'd expect through to staff engagement and procurement.
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Biomass heating project procurement guide
Many organisations are looking for ways to reduce their energy costs, carbon footprint and exposure to fluctuations in the cost of fossil fuels. Biomass is a good way of doing this as it produces low carbon heat at a reduced cost compared with that for conventional forms of heating. However, with a host of technologies and fuel supply options to choose from, finding the solution that will work best for you can seem daunting. This guide will help. It gives you clear step-by-step guidance and all the information you need to have informed conversations with potential suppliers, avoid common pitfalls and procure a biomass system that best fits your organisation’s needs.
Planning and Policy
How to procure resource efficient equipment
Sustainable procurement requires expertise - and time. By following the simple process outlined in this guide you will be better equipped to make successful purchasing decisions, avoiding common pitfalls. Manage your project and achieve benefits, while maintaining quality standards.
Identifying savings
12 ways your office can help tackle the plastic problem
In Scotland practical steps are being taken to reduce reliance on single-use products and protect our natural environment. This guide shares a range of no and low-cost actions your business can take now to reduce plastic in your workplace.
Staff engagement
Lighting improvements calculator tool
Before you spend your hard-earned cash on new lighting, do make use of the calculator that will help you work out your initial costs, potential savings and payback period.
Identifying savings
Set up a Green Team
Create real change within your organisation with a dedicated task force to channel ideas and energy into delivering energy efficiency and waste reduction. Set up a Green Team!
Staff engagement
Develop a business case for energy efficiency projects
Accessing finance is often a major barrier to the implementation of energy efficiency projects in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and, ultimately, the business benefits that these projects can deliver.
If you are planning an energy efficiency project in your business and need to access finance, this guide will help you. It will show you how to prepare a robust business case for investment to your senior management or external lenders.
Planning and Policy
Staff Engagement Toolkit
Step-by-step actions for motivating staff in your businesss to help reduce your energy and water use as well as prevent and manage waste. Staff training presentations, briefings, campaigns, posters, stickers and quizzes - all in an easy-to-use planner.
Staff engagement
Calculate costs of a lighting improvement project
Upgrading to energy efficient lighting will save you cash. Work out just how much based on your number of light fittings and estimated running hours per year. Analysis includes; initial layout costs, potential savings and payback period.
Identifying savings
Simple lighting calculator tool
Did you know that lighting can be as much as a fifth of an energy bill? You can work out just how much you are spending by keeping the lights burning with this easy-peasy tool.
Identifying savings
Green retail guide
Going green isn’t just about protecting the environment – it makes good business sense too. It will help satisfy your customers’ demands, enhance your competitive position and by saving you money - boost profits. A guide with practical advice and ideas to help retailers to; measure and monitor resources, reduce energy costs associated with lighting, heating and refrigeration, save water, manage waste and more.
Identifying savings
Green office guide - reduce your carbon footprint
An office can create a heavy carbon footprint. Lighten the load with our essential guide, the practical handbook for the in-house eco-warrior. It contains all you need to know to slash energy and water consumption and prevent waste through thoughtful procurement, re-use and recycling. Not only will these ideas help you to clean up your act, it will trim your overall costs and buff up your environmental credentials. One day, all offices could be like this!
Staff engagement
How to save money and energy on your lighting
Reduce the impact of rising electricity costs, and your carbon footprint, without a return to the dark ages.
Identifying savings
How to write an environmental policy
Allow us to help you formulate a meaningful environmental policy that communicates the unique nature of your organisation, your unique contribution to mitigating climate change and how you are meeting your environmental commitments.
Green network for businesses
We often learn best when we learn from each other, which is why we’ve devised our green network. Plug into a network of like-minded organisations and experience resource efficiency in action in your area.
Tips and Training
Resource Efficiency Pledge
This Scottish Government-backed scheme encourages Scottish businesses to save energy, water and raw materials, by showing their commitment to resource efficiency.
Staff engagement
Plan and deliver environmentally sustainable events
When you are planning an event, be it a major festival with thousands of people or conference, our guide will help you to reduce your environmental impacts and costs. Advice covers; venue selection, transportation, catering, supply chains, energy and waste management.
Planning and Policy
Save money and energy on heating the workplace
Read our guide about how to access your heating requirements, avoid common pitfalls, insulate, ventilate and upgrade without breaking the bank.
Savings Finder
Psst! Wanna save money on your utility bills without even trying? Our Savings Finder can help you cut your energy and water use, waste costs and resource-spending. And it only takes ten minutes.
How to conduct an energy audit
A guide to help your identify ways to cut your business energy consumption. Use alongside the handy checklist and action plan.
Identifying savings
Tool to optimise your heating controls
Get a handle on your heating by recording your building’s temperature to find the ideal temperature setting for different areas of your business.
Tips and Training
Measure and monitor your energy
Measure and monitor your energy usage to start reducing your bills and save money.
Identifying savings
Climate Change Assessment Tool (CCAT)
The Climate Change Assessment Tool (CCAT) has been specially devised to assist public sector organisations comply with the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009, both in terms of meeting carbon emissions reductions targets and reporting to the Scottish Government.
It can help you assess your current performance and make an action plan for the future.
Planning and Policy