Focus on energy efficiency investments has been the same or more in the last one year despite of the global recession, with China and India considering it extremely important, according to the Energy Efficiency Indicator (EEI) by Johnson Controls, a provider of energy efficient solutions for buildings.
According to the survey that has taken views of more than 2,800 executives and managers responsible for investments in commercial buildings worldwide, 56% respondents say they have invested the same or more in energy efficiency over the last 12 months.
A regional comparison indicates that respondents have invested the same or more in energy efficiency in China (60%), followed by the US (59%), Europe (55%) and India (45%), the report states.
The survey across all regions has indicated that energy management was considered an important priority among commercial decision-makers (92%), with 85% respondents from India and 80% from China were more likely to consider energy management very or extremely important as compared to those in 55% from Europe and 53% respondents from North America.
Clay Nesler, vice president of Global Energy and Sustainability at Johnson Controls, said: “Despite the recession, decision-makers have put efficiency high on their agendas for 2010, especially those in India and China.”
The survey also indicated that cost savings is consistently the most important factor driving investments with 97% of respondents identifying it as significant, whereas motivations differ from region to region.
Mr Nesler said: “On average, the survey found that decision-makers expect a 9% energy price increase over the next year.” Eighty-eight percent of respondents believe energy prices will rise in China, compared with 79% in India, 68% in Europe, and 64% of respondents in North America.
Following cost savings, 74% of the respondents believe that lowering greenhouse gas emissions is the second most important motivator for energy efficiency in all regions except North America, where boosting public image (63%) and taking advantage of government/utility incentives (62%) rank higher in importance.
Globally, 63% of respondents plan to make capital investments in energy efficiency and 70% plan operating budget expenditures in efficiency programs over the next 12 months, while 85% of respondents plan to make efficiency a priority in their new construction and retrofit projects.
The EEI tracks energy management priorities, practices and investment plans among decision-makers responsible for managing commercial buildings and their energy use. This year’s EEI survey included decision-makers from Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Poland, Spain, UK and the US.