Smart Metering is Essential for listed Businesses Now Required to Report on Emis sions Data Streamlining energy use

via the use of smart metering is a critical part of the process on reporting on the amount of greenhouse gases (GHG). Milton Keynes, England, August 13, 2013 -- From 1 October 2013 under new regulat ions all UK quoted companies (approximately 2,400 businesses) will have to repor t on the amount of greenhouse gases (GHG) they are emitting. According to Ian W allbank, Head of Legal & Corporate Services at IMServ, the UKs largest independen t energy management provider, streamlining energy use via the use of smart meter ing is a critical part of the process. Ian explains, The UK is the first country to make it compulsory for quoted compan ies to report on their emissions data in their annual Directors report. The regu lations will come into effect in October this year. This brings into the open, and crucially before shareholders, a new metric. Share holders will equate greater emissions with higher costs, leaving management vuln erable to questions regarding energy usage. Further, companies must disclose the methodology used to calculate emissions and the guidance makes clear that you need to state the statutory scheme as one of t he methodologies used. Under the new regime, greenhouse gas emissions compliance will involve a signifi cant and long term commitment. Shareholders will be increasingly looking for yea r-on-year reductions. This puts a new emphasis on the need for companies to address energy consumption, warns Ian. Smart metering technologies provide accurate Real-Time consumption dat a, flagging up unusual peaks in energy use which enable organisations to change consumption behaviours, introduce monitoring devices and thus realise the energy savings and emissions reductions. Being smarter about consumption and communicating year-on-year savings in annual reports will be both beneficial to blue-chip businesses and stakeholders. Increa singly, stakeholders are filing sustainability related resolutions, asking compa nies to set out greenhouse gas emission reduction goals, publish sustainability reports and pursue energy efficiency. Ian concluded, From discussions at various recent legal networking events, the pr ofession seems to be concentrating on what needs to be done in order to comply w ith the reporting requirements. To my mind, the real emphasis needs to be on wha t is actually being reported, the story behind it, the planning for the future a nd perhaps more importantly, the likely impact all of this is going to have on k ey stakeholders and shareholders. Although shareholder resolutions on sustainabi lity dont typically receive a majority vote, they can still prompt companies to t ake action to avoid any risks to their reputation. Directors should be wary. According to the regulations, a business strategic report must cover the six main GHGs (Greenhouse Gases) highlighted in the Kyoto Protocol: carbon dioxide (Co2), methane (CH4), hydro fluorocarbons (HRCs), nitrous oxide (N2), perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and sulphur hexafluoride (SF6). The annual report must include the annual quantity of emissions in tonnes of carb on dioxide equivalent from activities for which that company is responsible. Thes e activities include the combustion of fuel and the operation of any facility, i ncluding those that are mobile, temporary and marine-based.

IMServ works closely with many FTSE 250 organisations and companies within the c ommercial and industrial sectors, processing around 20 million data items per da y. The company offers an all-inclusive portfolio that covers data collection, an alysis, reporting and carbon management. For help and advice on how to use smart metering to support emissions data reporting please contact marketing@imserv.co m. Editors Notes About IMServ (www.imserv.com): IMServ Europe Ltd is one of the UKs largest independent energy data management pr oviders. The company offers carbon and energy management solutions, helping orga nisations across all sectors to save energy, reduce costs and control carbon emi ssions. IMServ offers an all-inclusive portfolio that covers data collection, analysis, reporting and carbon management. To date over 180,000 sites in England, Scotland and Wales are benefiting from its solutions. About Ian Wallbank, Legal and Corporate Services Director, IMServ: Ian, a qualified Solicitor, has worked both in private practice, in a commercial role for a national legal practice, and in-house in highly regulated industries . Initially holding the position of Head of Legal, Ian has, in his 5 years at IM Serv, expanded his responsibilities to include the Quality function, including m aintaining all industry and ISO accreditations as well as auditing, and the Busi ness Support function, covering such elements as EHS&S, training, the building, and vehicle fleet maintenance. For further information, please contact: Laura Brown/Justine Smith, KISS Public Relations T: 01223 911123, justine@kisscom.co.uk , laura@kisscom.co.uk For interviews, comment, photography, or interest in by-lined articles please co ntact laura@kisscom.co.uk Contact: Laura Brown KISS Public Relations Milton Keynes, England, UK 0-122-391-1123 laura@kisscom.co.uk http://www.imserv.com