CSA Standards has announced the Canadian availability of the ISO 50001 Energy Management Systems Standard — the world's first global energy management system standard — to help businesses manage and reduce energy consumption and costs and remain competitive in today's marketplace. (CSA is also offering a $49 webinar on the standard.)

According to a CSA/Leger Marketing survey, almost a quarter of Canadian executives feel energy is not being consumed efficiently within their organization. The new standard will outline best practices for streamlining energy consumption such as the measurement of current energy use and the implementation of an energy measurement system to document, report and validate ongoing improvements in energy management.

"Seventy-nine percent of Canadian executives believe that energy efficiency is a key component to business success," said Bonnie Rose, president of CSA Standards. "And although the bottom line is not the only measure of success, the implementation of ISO 50001 will help businesses move forward in achieving their environmental goals by reducing their energy consumption and carbon footprint, while also recognizing the cost savings associated with reduced energy consumption."

The ISO 50001 Energy Management Systems Standard is a voluntary, internationally accepted framework for the management of energy for businesses of all sizes. More than 90 per cent of Canadian executives believe that every organization has a responsibility to manage its energy use, the CSA/Leger Marketing survey reveals. Conformance with the standard will demonstrate an organization has an energy management system in place, has completed an established baseline of energy use, and has committed to continuous improvement of its energy performance.

Before the introduction of ISO 50001, no national energy management systems standard in Canada existed. In fact, according to the CSA/Leger Marketing survey, only about 30 percent of Canadian executives say that their organization has an active energy management program. Among those organizations that do not, 12 per cent are planning to implement one within a year. The adoption of the ISO 50001 Energy Management Systems Standard in Canada will assist thousands of businesses, many of which have global operations and require adherence to international standards, to become highly efficient energy users.

"Every new road travelled requires a map; the ISO 50001 standard is a roadmap for Canadian businesses that have chosen the path to sustainable energy performance," Rose said. Ninety percent of Canadian executives believe that equipping employees with the right tools and training to manage energy use will reduce consumption. "The standard is a critical element in the collective fight against climate change. After all, if you do not measure it, you cannot control it. The standard offers a systematic review and analysis of energy consumption helping to lead to better energy conservation and efficiency," she added.

The CSA/Leger Marketing survey reveals more than half of Canadian executives say it is important to participate in programs that improve the energy or sustainable performance of their organization and 14 per cent say their suppliers, customers or stakeholders are asking for evidence of their environmental or energy performance practices.

ISO is the International Organization for Standardization. It is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies representing approximately 140 countries. Publication of an international standard like the ISO 50001 Energy Management Systems Standard requires approval from at least 75 percent of member bodies.

The CAN/CSA ISO 50001 Energy Management Systems Standard is priced at $105 CDN. It is available for purchase immediately at shop.csa.ca.