WHY is your company implementing an EAP?
Your team should agree on the objectives of your company’s EAP on energy efficiency. These may be general and/or specific in nature.
Examples of objectives include the following:
- reduce energy use by X percent
- increase corporate profitability
- improve productivity
- generate energy-efficient ideas that will lead to reductions in energy consumption
- bring about a shift in the culture of the company towards energy efficiency
- create a more comfortable work environment
- help employees become aware of and understand the benefits of working in an energy-efficient workplace
- demonstrate the economic and environmental benefits of energy efficiency
- secure employee support for and participation in energy efficiency
- initiate and maintain specific changes in employee behaviour that will lead to a more energy-efficient workplace
- demonstrate environmental leadership
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contribute to Canada’s environmental goals by
- performing work in an environmentally sensitive manner
- reducing air pollutants and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that contribute to climate change
- reward employees with improved benefits or awards for their energy-efficient actions
Energy efficiency does not mean “freezing in the dark.” It means reducing energy consumption through effective technology and work practices.
Regardless of the objectives selected, it is important to have them vetted and approved by senior management.
Energy efficiency is in the “BHAG” at Frito Lay
When it comes to energy conservation, Frito Lay Canada has Big Hairy Audacious Goals – BHAG. BHAG refers to very challenging goals that require the company to not only perform extremely well but to think outside the box and redefine how it does things. It takes teamwork and highly motivated managers and technicians at each site who turn ideas into action.
For example, Frito Lay used BHAG to reduce energy and water consumption per pound of product. For reduced natural gas consumption, the company surpassed its original goal of 30 percent and has a new target of 50 percent. For electricity use per unit of production, Frito Lay has also exceeded its original target of 25 percent reduction and now is aiming for 45 percent. The results add up quickly and can be dramatic. With its conservation efforts, Frito Lay saved over 4.5 billion litres of water since 1999, yielding a 40 percent reduction in the water used to make each bag of its snack products.
Teamwork has been an important factor in achieving these results. Frito Lay Canada created a team-based environment in its manufacturing and distribution facilities. Each team has a different focus area, one of which is the reduction of energy consumption. Fostering engagement in this way has paid many dividends with employee generated ideas for energy conservation numbering in the hundreds. This teamwork produces numerous direct and indirect benefits and has increased employee performance.
Source: Heads Up CIPEC, August 1, 2006 Vol. X, No. 15.
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