Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR)

Thursday 25th March 2021

We and our clients are busy at the moment preparing energy and carbon data to include within their Directors’ reports. This needs to be done for all large companies for financial years starting on or after 1st April 2019.

Over the past year we have learnt some lessons from our varied client base, which have helped us to hone our support.

  • Scope your energy users as early as you can. There are some parts of the process that you can (and indeed, have to) leave until after the end of the financial year.  But scoping the electric, gas and transport energy users that you will need to report should be done as early as possible.  For some companies this is an established list, with familiar invoicing, meter read sheets, or expenses reports.  But for others, the question of how much gas is included in their service charge might not be something that has been considered before, and getting some answers in advance of the end of the financial year will mean that the data is available more quickly when you need it, and you will be happy that it is accurate and reflective of your energy use.
  • Test your intensity ratios. There are some factors that may seem like they would cause energy use to vary, but if you look at historic data, the relationship is not particularly strong.  We recommend gathering data for 3 different indicators – perhaps FTE, occupied floor space and visitor numbers for 3 or more previous years.  This will allow you to pick an intensity ratio that has a true impact on energy use.  If there is more than one that seems to follow a trend, then it is fine to report on both. 
  • Output recommendations following the data collation exercise for your first year reporting and act on them! Now is the best time to sort out the issues that made reporting difficult this time around.  Set up a monthly meter read schedule, or put a reminder in for next year to send meter reads to your suppliers.  Or if you plan to report on a wider scope next year, make sure processes are set up to ensure that the energy and carbon data for these additions will be available.
  • If you want to have lots of energy efficiency actions to report for next year, then start padding out your energy reduction action plan. A good place to start might be an energy survey, or revisiting your most recent ESOS report.

To talk to us about the requirements for streamlined energy and carbon reporting, and how we can help, please contact us on admin@e2-services.co.uk or ring on 020 3002 2500 and select option 3 for energy services.

Abby Davey, Senior Compliance Consultant

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