Business energy costs have risen by 25% since February 2026, according to new analysis from Cornwall Insight reported by edie. With geopolitical events, extreme weather, changes to government policies and higher energy levies all contributing to increased costs, businesses are facing continued uncertainty over their energy bills.
While you cannot control wholesale energy prices or global events, improving energy efficiency is one area where your business can take practical action.
Understanding where energy is being used – and where it may be wasted – is an important first step. An energy audit can identify opportunities to reduce consumption, from relatively simple changes to lighting, heating and controls, through to longer-term investments in equipment, insulation or on-site generation.
For businesses facing rising operating costs, these improvements can deliver environmental benefits while also helping to reduce unnecessary energy use and improve operational efficiency.
At Groundwork East, energy efficiency is one of five key areas that are considered when reviewing a business’s sustainability assessment through the Sustainable Business Membership (SBM). Each member receives an annual sustainability assessment, carried out within the first three months of membership, which highlights existing strengths and identifies clear, achievable opportunities for improvement.
Members receive a detailed report, practical action plan and sustainability score, supported by ongoing access to sustainability expertise. This helps businesses turn insight into action and track progress year on year.
For some organisations, an energy audit may be the starting point. For others, it could be improving heating controls, switching to LED lighting, installing smart sensors or looking at how energy is managed across their operations.
With energy costs continuing to put pressure on businesses, now is a good time to understand your energy performance and identify where efficiency improvements could make a difference.
To find out more about Groundwork East’s Sustainable Business Membership, get in touch with the team for an introductory call: https://groundworksbs.org.uk/sustainable-business-membership/#become-a-member
Or contact: Amy.Coulter@groundwork.org.uk
