Despite rapid advances in technology, we still use 16 percent more energy than we did 25 years ago. Since the 1970s we have made improvements in energy efficiency but we have added more energy consumers: lighting, air conditioning, computers, printers and data centers, etc. As a society, we have two major challenges: 1. Reduce energy use, cost and foreign energy dependency. This issue harms economies, increases inflation and creates political tension.  2. Reduce CO2 emissions that are causing harm to the environment. But how do we start this change? What is the best path to kick us off center and begin meaningful change in increasing energy efficiency in our buildings? Legislation and programs can be created to change behavior, but it is important to balance rewards and punishment.

Our world now faces two particularly important trends: rising fossil fuel prices and climate change concerns. Both create strong incentives for energy conservation and are fueling interest in energy conservation solutions. We have so far only seen the beginning of the global focus on these areas. TAC, a Schneider Electric Company and provider of open, integrated systems for building automation, aims to deliver energy services to our customers in ways that will reduce energy consumption -- which helps the planet -- and lower energy expenses to help the customer’s bottom line. But to be a global leader in energy management, we must first have an energy culture within TAC. TAC is working on a number of initiatives right now to create that energy culture: Educating our employees

When the monthly utility bill comes, the CFO simply sees is another bill to be paid. Energy is just another operating expense...or is it? An increasing number of international companies are measuring performance on a triple bottom line of organizational success, environmental success and economic success, and finding that adding social and environmental actions to daily practices can deliver a significant return on investment. When it comes to understanding the true impact of energy and the environment, only limited data is available to CFOs. They still need that data translated into information to make informed decisions about their business. CFOs who are determined to truly understand and reduce environmental costs of their business can take a huge step in that direction by

Because the Clinton Climate Initiative is taking a very practical approach to addressing climate change through building energy efficiency, it presents an opportunity for companies to learn vital lessons about implementing energy efficiency programs in their own facilities.