Price increases and challenges in energy supply triggered action

Switching off facade signs, new energy-efficient photocopiers and changing consumption patterns and habits. These are some of the specific measures implemented in the autumn of 2022 in response to rising electricity and heating prices – a direct consequence of the war in Ukraine.

“Naturally, we want to minimise the financial impact of rising energy prices. But it’s been equally important to send a clear signal to both our employees and clients about the social responsibility we wish to take on,” explains CFO Martin Leth Povlsen.

It is about limiting energy consumption as much as possible and using the current situation as an opportunity to accelerate energy saving initiatives that were already planned.

“The climate agenda is also our agenda. We’re already working on limiting our climate footprint by, for example, reducing food waste and opting for organic food. Now, the energy crisis has pushed for more necessary changes in this direction,” says Martin Leth Povlsen.

The first wave of energy initiatives in the autumn included accelerating the transition to a more energy efficient data centre, upgrading photocopiers to more energy efficient models earlier, upgrading the battery-driven backup in case the power supply to servers and other critical infrastructure fails, recoding the intervals for automatic light switch-off, etc. In addition, behavioural changes should also contribute to reducing energy consumption, such as using the stairs instead of the lift, avoiding using local dishwashers and taking shorter showers in the changing rooms.

Employees were consulted

In the second wave, employees were involved. Inflation and the impact of rising energy prices on their own financial situation provided a basis for commitment that everyone shared.

“We wanted to raise collective awareness of our energy consumption, harvest good ideas for potential savings, and we needed help to identify inappropriate energy use in our buildings. The response was overwhelmingly positive. Many came back with observations and specific suggestions that we considered in our further work,” says Martin Leth Povlsen, who finds that it is easier to implement habit changes when you have been involved in formulating them yourself.

While habits are changing, it also means striking the right balance for action. And there is a limit.

“We need a workplace that is functional. For example, we cannot feel too cold because the temperature has been reduced too much,” says Martin Leth Povlsen.

Although Gorrissen Federspiel has relatively energy-efficient buildings in Copenhagen and Aarhus, work is ongoing to optimise energy consumption at both locations. The Prismet in Aarhus was built in 2001 and is facing an extensive renovation, which means relocating Gorrissen Federspiel to other buildings. At Axel Towers, which was completed in 2017, a recent energy audit has identified recommendations for several adjustments and improvements, which Gorrissen Federspiel is in dialogue with the landlord, ATP Ejendomme, to implement.

Long-term effects

It is still too early to reap the long-term benefits of the energy measures. But energy optimisation continues; both because it is a strategic objective to optimise energy consumption and limit our climate footprint and because an increasing number of clients expect it.

“Our clients are leaders in the Danish business community. Everyone is working to become more sustainable. This trickles down and results in stricter requirements for subcontractors, including us. Regardless of the expectations and demands we face from outside, it’s also the right thing to do as a climate-conscious organisation,” concludes Martin Leth Povlsen.

Energy measures implemented in 2022

• No connection of additional heat sources in the offices

• Light sources in common areas have been recoded so that lights switch off more appropriately in accordance with actual needs

• The “Gorrissen Federspiel” façade signs are switched off outside opening hours in Aarhus and kept completely switched off in Copenhagen

• Forced nightly computer switch-off

• New energy-efficient data centre moved forward

• Printing and copying machines replaced by far more energy-efficient models

• Investment in a new Universal Power Supply (UPS) to act as a backup in case of power failure

• Larger machines are switched off completely over the evening/night instead of switching to sleep mode

• Dishwashers on the individual floors are only used during off-peak periods