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We were appointed to lead the delivery of the Mayor’s Business Climate Challenge to help businesses reduce their energy consumption and accelerate building decarbonisation efforts in London.

In 2018, amidst escalating climate challenges, the Mayor of London declared a climate emergency setting a target to achieve net zero carbon by 2030. To tackle this, the Greater London Authority (GLA) partnered with WSP to fortify the city's resilience and combat climate change.

In late 2022, WSP was appointed to lead the delivery of the Mayor's Business Climate Challenge (BCC), an energy efficiency programme focused on reducing energy consumption and accelerating building decarbonisation efforts in London through voluntary action by SMEs. Collaborating with two additional delivery partners, the GLA and a team of business engagement partners, WSP empowered over 200 businesses to reduce their carbon footprint.

Recommended measures
1,600+
Energy savings estimated per year
23,191 MWh
CO2e saving estimated per year
5,700+ ton

Sources: All numerical data cited in this case study were accurate and approved by the GLA as of the publication date. - The Mayor's Business Climate Challenge

Programme Overview

WSP’s role in the Mayor’s BCC was to provide businesses with technical support to make their buildings more energy-efficient, reduce energy costs and guide them towards reducing carbon. Meanwhile, the GLA funded the programme and worked with selected business engagement partners to recruit, engage, and communicate with participants for the duration of the Challenge. 

WSP coordinated comprehensive advisory services, including data collection, site visits and tailored recommendations reports. Additionally, indirect support was offered through open-access resources and peer-to-peer learning networks.

Key decarbonisation measures identified include:

  • No Investment (Easy Wins): Implementing sustainable practices such as energy management and set point controls, such as timers and schedules, enabling immediate savings by optimising equipment usage to match building occupancy.
  • Short-medium term Payback: Upgrading to LED lighting systems, HVAC upgrades, solar PV and installing sub-meters, offering short-term returns on investment.
  • Long-term Payback Carbon-led Options: Improving buildings insulation and transitioning away from gas/fossil fuels, such as retrofitting heat pumps, presenting long-term returns on investment.

During the programme, a significant finding underscored the importance of aligning retrofit works with planned building maintenance programmes, highlighting the cost-effectiveness of proactive measures.

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Creating an energy database for other cities to benchmark

Recognising the significance of sharing best practices, WSP committed to capturing valuable insights and learnings throughout the programme. By documenting the implementation of energy efficiency measures across commercial buildings, WSP aimed to create a robust evidence base that could be leveraged by cities worldwide facing similar challenges.

The GLA Business Climate Challenge programme has been a great success as it has not only yielded impressive results in terms of reducing energy consumption within some months from completion, but it has also sparked a remarkable increase in awareness and engagement among our stakeholders. Encouragingly, 45 workplaces already exceeded the programme’s 10% energy reduction target. By actively involving small businesses and the community at large, we've cultivated a shared commitment to sustainability. Through training initiatives, workshops and ad hoc support, we have empowered stakeholders to adopt energy-efficient practices and fostered a culture of responsibility and environmental stewardship.

Catherine Barber, the GLA’s Assistant Director, Energy and Environment, said at the programme’s Celebration and Recognition Event at the British Library on 28 November 2023, “Businesses have a critical role in decarbonising our city and helping London become net zero by 2030. The Business Climate Challenge programme is helping us build a greener and better London for everyone and I congratulate all BCC participating businesses for the leadership they have demonstrated in taking action to save energy and reduce their emissions.”

The programme's effectiveness and impact are evident, with businesses having already achieved 7% energy savings after just nine months to implement recommendations and expected to surpass the 10% reduction target by the end of 2024 through their voluntary climate actions. 

Beyond energy consumption reductions, the BCC’s recommendations have also helped these same businesses achieve nearly £3,000 per annum in cost savings. This is particularly beneficial for small and mid-sized businesses that are disproportionately affected by energy cost rises since 2022.

Building on this success, WSP is collaborating with individual London Boroughs to replicate similar programmes, further advancing energy efficiency initiatives among businesses.

 
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