Public building operators are ‘”woefully behind” planned government targets for Display Energy Certificates (DECs), according to energy consultancy IMServ.

Figures obtained from the Government show that only 22,986 DECs have so far been submitted, 55 per cent less than the 50,000 that had been expected as of October 2008, when the certificates were made a legal requirement for all public buildings.

The 27,000 non-complying public building operators, if caught, would be liable for fines totalling up to £40.5 million. Buildings within that category include airports, leisure centres and shopping centres.

“It’s alarming that businesses are so woefully behind target on this,” said Steve Brown, managing director of IMServ. “Display Energy Certificates are the tip of the iceberg in terms of the energy and environment legislation that companies will be required to adapt to over the coming years, particularly in light of the heavy green focus in (the new) Budget.”

Brown added, “The Government must introduce carrot as well as stick initiatives to encourage businesses to act, but at the same time, there needs to be a change of culture in UK businesses so that carbon and energy saving is considered a Board-level issue rather than a side-line problem. If this trend continues, it will have a major impact on the UK’s wider plans to cut greenhouse gas emissions.”

Businesses need to realise that energy savings, rather than being a “headache,” offer real cost savings potential, Brown said.

“Some of the measures suggested by government could save businesses 15 per cent, and no business can afford to ignore that sort of saving in the current climate,” he said.

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