Energy efficiency is about more than just the energy bill. All companies, and households, face a range of hidden energy costs, from material wear-and-tear to transport. One of the most hidden of all is water.
People in the developed world often take water for granted, viewing it as an essentially free resource. Water bills make up only a small part of most companies’ cost base, but businesses are becoming increasingly aware that water shortages can have a serious knock-on effect. Droughts and floods will occur more frequently because of climate change. Floods and storms can cut off water supply by overwhelming or contaminating drinking water, and damage water infrastructure such as pipes and sewage works. Independently of climate change, a combination of the pressure of population and dwindling resources also means more regions will suffer water scarcity.
