A study from UK’s largest business electricity suppliers Haven Power has revealed that more than a quarter (27%) of British businesses think renewable energy is just a passing trend, with the hospitality and entertainment industries showing the least commitment.
The research found that businesses in the hospitality and entertainment industry are unlikely to make sustainable changes as they don’t believe it’s a priority to their customers.
Paul Sheffield, Chief Operating Officer at Haven Power, said: “It’s surprising that an industry employing a large number of environmentally-conscious millennials, such as hospitality and entertainment, are seemingly ignoring the environmental agenda, when it is so important to both potential customers and employees. Organisations must recognise that it’s more than just customers who deliver business success, and they may be impacting their ability to attract and retain the best talent.
The survey of utility decision makers showed the biggest barrier preventing business from implementing sustainable change was cost (37%), followed by lack of government support (24%) and uncertainty by energy decision makers on how to discuss with senior management (23%). In addition, more than 80% of respondents feel it is energy providers’ responsibility to educate decision makers on the different types of energy available.
The financial services sector showed the highest degree of scepticism towards renewables, with 40% of respondents saying that it was a passing trend.
Paul Sheffield, Chief Operating Officer at Haven Power, said: “It’s concerning to see the proportion of businesses that still view renewable energy as a passing trend, despite evidence showing that a move to cleaner energy is essential for the environment. It’s clear more needs to be done to demonstrate the wider opportunities and benefits of renewable energy for businesses.”
Conversely, 59% of businesses think renewables are the key to a cleaner future, with three in five keen to start producing their own energy. When asked to list whose responsibility it is to lower carbon emissions, energy suppliers were cited top (58%), followed by the Government (47%) and manufacturers (46%).
The agricultural industry leads all other sectors in both awareness of renewable energy and taking action to procure it. Businesses in the manufacturing industry put their own sector at the top of the list when asked who is most responsible for saving carbon emissions (59%) versus their energy suppliers at 48%.
“Understanding of renewable energy and its benefits varies greatly from sector to sector,” said Sheffield. “We believe that every industry needs to start taking positive steps to reduce carbon emissions and embrace cleaner energy. It’s imperative that organisations of all sizes work together with their energy provider to ensure the future of British business is low carbon. By moving beyond energy being viewed as a commodity, we can help to drive sustainability and profitability. Here at Haven Power we are keen to help businesses understand the wider benefits of renewables.”
