How can the new ESOS reporting requirements help your business?

The Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) has evolved from a periodic requirement to a strategic, ongoing process. The recent changes, especially around the introduction of action plans, make ESOS not just a compliance exercise but a launchpad for achieving sustainability goals. 

If you're a sustainability or energy manager, here’s why your ESOS Action Plan should be at the heart of your company’s energy transition and decarbonisation strategy. 

1. Mandatory action plans ensure real accountability and progress. 

Gone are the days when ESOS was simply about submitting reports every four years. The new regulations now require an annual action plan, detailing how your business will implement energy-saving measures.

The plan should include: 

• Clear energy efficiency actions 
• Timelines for implementation 
• Estimated energy savings and associated carbon reductions 

With the plan and annual progress updates publicly available, businesses are held accountable to their commitments, keeping energy-saving measures on track and ensuring that sustainability milestones are met. This continual process helps your company move the needle on reducing energy use and emissions, keeping you aligned with net zero ambitions and future-proofing your operations. 

2. Public disclosure drives sustainability and builds brand reputation 

The requirement of ESOS to publish key data means that your energy efficiency commitments – and how well you’re following through on them – will be available for stakeholders, investors, and customers. 

Demonstrating genuine commitment to decarbonisation and being transparent about energy progress will attract investors, partners, and customers who value environmental responsibility. 

This public accountability helps drive actual action on energy savings, incentivising your company to stay committed and exceed targets, ultimately accelerating your decarbonisation journey. 

3. ESOS action plans align with broader sustainability and net-zero strategies 

The introduction of the action plan gives businesses a structured way to align their energy efficiency efforts with broader net zero and decarbonisation strategies. Not only does the plan ensure compliance with national legislation, but it also serves as a foundational document for managing and scaling your sustainability efforts. The intention is that it helps businesses integrate ESOS into their overall energy transition framework, enabling them to hit both short-term compliance targets and long-term decarbonisation goals. 

Making ESOS part of your sustainability strategy, allows streamlining of effort, consistent monitoring of progress, and a demonstrate leadership in the energy transition, all while lowering operational costs through improved energy efficiency. 

The evolution of ESOS from a once-every-four-years task to an annual, publicly accountable process reflects the growing importance of energy efficiency in the global push toward decarbonisation. Leveraging these tools helps drive your company’s energy transition, improve your reputation, and align with net zero goals.