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Banking on making a difference by making 15% energy savings

Plugging into the need to save electricity has seen Investec showing employees just how being energy aware can add to the bottom line. 

In this case, besides being savvy with client investments at the bank, Investec has found itself being nominated as a finalist in the Power Fitness and Commercial categories of the prestigious annual Eskom eta awards which promote the development of energy awareness across the country.

In an internal energy awareness campaign at their offices, Investec adopted a “Think 15% More” electric plug icon that was displayed on all messages and through a poster campaign.  

The objective of the campaign was to alert employees to the on-going need to reduce electricity consumption energy and was aimed at giving employees practical advice and tips on how to keep electricity use to a minimum and save at least 15%.

“The campaign was a call to action for employees to collectively act to help reduce energy use.  It presented crucial information to employees at a time when South Africa’s power crisis had generated considerable uncertainty and anxiety,” said Carole Mason, Executive: Corporate Affairs at Investec.

“As a business, we have been thinking about broad environmental considerations even though we are a low energy user. We nonetheless recognise that environmental considerations constitute an important element of our triple bottom line focus. We have specifically sought to enhance employee awareness around this aspect of business sustainability over the past few years and as an organisation, continue to take whatever practical and commercially viable steps that will enable us to reduce the size of our carbon footprint,” says Mason.

The campaign was not a once-off consideration but part of a thematic and integrated approach that has evolved over several years, and which is embodied in Investec’s approach to sustainability titled ‘Our Business Responsibility’.

Feedback from employees suggested that the campaign proved user friendly, was highly visible, innovative and practical.  The fact that a lot of the information provided throughout the campaign allowed for behavioural change where desired was also well received.

“Our big achievement through this project was a subsequent 10% reduction in Investec’s nationwide energy use in the financial year ended March 2009.  Our significantly enhanced understanding of the different ways in which we can reduce energy has also enabled us to identify additional measures to be pursued over the medium-term. So, whereas we set out to Think 15% More, we are quite sure that we will, over the medium-term, end up having realised energy reductions almost double that,” says Mason.

“The commercial sector has a vital role to play in promoting energy efficiency and can effectively contribute through employee-focused communication programmes that raise awareness about how savings can be achieved through simple actions in offices,” said Dr Steve Lennon MD of Eskom Corporate Services.

“The benefit of these campaigns is that once energy saving behaviours become entrenched at work, employees carry this over to their home environment, thereby increasing savings.

“Investec is to be commended for showing the way in such a visible and effective manner,” he added.

More about the eta Awards:

The prestigious annual eta Awards are sponsored by Eskom and are aimed at recognising excellence by individuals and companies in the field of energy efficiency.

To find out more about how your company can enter the eta Awards.

Issued on behalf of: Eskom
By: Magna Carta PR
Contact: Bernadine Young
Tel: 011 784 259
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

For more information please contact:
Annamarie Murray
Group Communications Division
Tel: 011 800 2847
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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