Evaluating the Management System Approach for Industrial Energy Efficiency Improvements

Thomas Zobel and Charlotte Malmgren
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Thomas Zobel: Industrial Environmental Management Unit, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå SE-971 87, Sweden
Charlotte Malmgren: Industrial Environmental Management Unit, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå SE-971 87, Sweden

Energies, 2016, vol. 9, issue 10, 1-12

Abstract: Voluntary environmental management systems (EMS) based on the international standard ISO 14001 have become widespread globally in recent years. The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of voluntary management systems on energy efficiency in the Swedish manufacturing industry by means of objective industrial energy data derived from mandatory annual environmental reports. The study focuses on changes in energy efficiency over a period of 12 years and includes both ISO 14001-certified companies and non-certified companies. Consideration is given to energy improvement efforts in the companies before the adoption of ISO 14001. The analysis has been carried out using statistical methods for two different industrial energy parameters: electricity and fossil fuel consumption. The results indicate that ISO 14001 adoption and certification has increased energy efficiency regarding the use of fossil fuel. In contrast, no effect of the management systems has been found concerning the use of electricity. The mixed results of this study are only partly in line with the results of previous studies based on perceptions of company representatives.

Keywords: industrial energy efficiency; environmental management system; ISO 14001; industrial energy management (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (13)

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