Audit Scotland logo

Good practice guide

Improving energy efficiency

Questions for councillors and non-executive board members to consider

  • What progress is your organisation making in reducing its energy use?
  • Does your organisation have a plan to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions? What progress is being made?
  • Does your organisation have a written strategy to improve energy efficiency?
    • Is it supported by an action plan?
  • Does your organisation have an energy efficiency champion at senior management level?
  • How is behavioural change to improve energy efficiency being encouraged throughout the organisation?
  • Does your organisation have its own target(s) or performance indicator(s) on improving energy efficiency?
    • How is it performing against the target(s)/performance indicator(s)?
  • Does your organisation have a system in place to collect accurate information on energy use in the estate?
    • Is this information being analysed to identify where improvements in energy efficiency can be made, and to calculate CO2 emissions?
  • Does your organisation have a system in place to collect accurate information on the use of its vehicle fleet?
    • Is this information being analysed and used to improve performance and calculate CO2 emissions?
  • Is your organisation analysing and reporting information on energy performance (eg, the use of cost of energy and resulting CO2 emissions) to senior management level? Is performance reported regularly?
  • Does your organisation benchmark its energy performance against similar organisations?
  • Does your organisation have a policy or strategy in place to ensure that energy efficiency is always considered in any decisions relating to the refurbishment or rationalisation of buildings?
    • Has your organisation put suitable arrangements in place to ensure this strategy is always followed?
  • Does your organisation have a policy or strategy in place to ensure that energy efficiency is always considered when buying goods or services?
  • Has your organisation developed a delivery plan to ensure sustainable procurement practices are followed?
  • Is your organisation taking action to manage the costs associated with participation in the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme?
  • Does your organisation’s internal audit programme include the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme?

Back to top