A number of studies have demonstrated that the existence of a consistent energy management system plays a crucial role in sustainable energy conservation. As far back as 2003, Sweden was the first European country to develop a national standard which aimed to help companies and organisations introduce energy management systems (EnMS) to optimise the energy efficiency of their business operations. This was subsequently used as a basis for a European energy management standard (DIN EN 16001:2009), which was introduced on 1 July 2009.
However, these activities are not limited to Europe: countries in other regions have also become active in the field of energy efficiency as part of their climate protection policies. The US, for example, introduced a national energy management standard in 2000, as did South Korea in 2007 and China and South Africa in 2009, thereby intensifying their efforts to protect the climate. These initiatives were consolidated into an international standard on 1 June 2011: DIN EN ISO 50001:2011.
Following the introduction of DIN EN 16001:2009, adelphi developed guidelines for corporations and organisations, which are currently in their fifth edition. The guidelines have already been translated into English and are also available in Chinese. The guidelines have been updated as part of the Environmental Research Plan’s project “Promoting the introduction of energy management systems following the publication of the ISO 50001”. Changes in the ISO 50001:2011 are also highlighted. The aim of the new guidelines is to provide practical assistance to companies and organisations that wish to certify themselves in line with DIN EN ISO 50001:2011.