Daily life as an Energy and Carbon Manager varies from one employer to the next. For some, this is a fully autonomous role, while others have the support of a large team. Monitoring energy use to create accurate carbon footprints and meet targets, and writing complex reports to deadline are both key regular tasks. Planning ways of reducing energy use, and implementing those plans are central to the role, and a broad range of project management skills will be used every day.
Typical duties and responsibilities:
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Developing and rolling out ways of reducing energy consumption
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Communicating with colleagues, customers, contractors, and suppliers on the importance of reducing energy consumption and advising on practical ways to do this
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Writing organisational policy and procedures on energy consumption and conservation
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Collecting data, record keeping, and data analysis
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Doing site inspections and surveys to monitor energy use
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Catching up on legislative changes, best practice developments, and setting new targets
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Report writing to inform, educate and engage
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Utility budget forecasting and budget management.
Much of the job involves advising on legislative compliance, as well as sector-specific codes of practice, to make sure requirements are understood and met. Some individuals in this role are required to create energy and carbon use policies for their organisation to follow, and /or set targets for them to achieve. These may reflect wider governmental or sector specific targets.
While much of the day-to-day work of an Energy and Carbon Manager is done on a computer, some requires an effective face-to-face presence. For example, while delivering training, communicating plans, and advising colleagues on how they can help reach organisational targets.
Energy and carbon managers often work alongside suppliers, contractors, council services and other organisations when carrying out site inspections and energy surveys. Fieldwork and office-based work are both involved.
Learning and culture changes are sometimes part of an Energy and Carbon Manager’s role. The job is to change both behaviour and thinking on energy use. The position of Energy and Carbon Manager exists in both the public and the private sectors, in organisations of all sizes and industries.
