Last week, the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) officially launched its Retail Energy Management Program by releasing the Retail Energy Management Maturity Matrix (REMMM), a new tool designed to help retailers optimize their energy management programs.
The REMMM, designed to help retailers identify leading practices in energy management, was developed in collaboration with numerous retailers and stakeholders, as well as review of existing tools like ISO 50001 and EPA’s Energy Management Guidelines. It underwent three rounds of reviews by retailers, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) employees and contractors, and vendors.
The Matrix provides a baseline for retail energy managers to measure their existing programs against, identify opportunities for growth and provide a roadmap to improve processes, all of which will drive energy performance and shrink costs.
RILA is now asking for input from retail energy managers through an anonymous survey— to gain the insights necessary to develop further program initiatives and education efforts — which will be released in an industry report of the results.
Speaking of retail energy management, Sainsbury’s and C&A were among 15 leading businesses from 11 different sectors to commit last month to looking at their carbon and water management holistically. A report released by sustainability specialists Anthesis, in association with the Water Footprint Network, illustrates the need for businesses and governments to tackle energy and water use in tandem or risk major disruption.