Earth Day is an opportunity to reflect on how we use natural resources locally and globally. This year, Earth Day encourages us to think about renewable energy and how we can take action to use more renewable energy (EarthDay.Org, 2025). Our planet is being threatened by pollution, deforestation, desertification, climate change and over-exploitation, with human consumption being the central cause. For example, Australia’s primary source of greenhouse gas emissions is electricity, responsible for 35.1% of the total annual emissions (Climate Council, 2019) (DCCEEW, 2024).
To reduce Australia’s contribution to greenhouse emissions and climate change, a Net Zero Plan has been developed for Australia. This plan sets our emission reduction targets at 43% by 2030 and net zero by 2050 (DCCEEW, 2025 a). So, while the global trend by Governments and Businesses is to move toward clean electricity production, what about responsible consumption and more efficient energy use? Why and how can small and medium-sized businesses contribute to this daily? In what other way can one contribute? We believe people and companies can contribute to responsible energy consumption by making small and meaningful changes and even at ISPL, our vision is “To change the world one person at a time, one day at a time.”
Availability of clean energy
Renewable energy is produced from natural resources which can be continuously regenerated. As wind and solar energy production rely on meteorological conditions, such as wind velocity and the number of hours of sunlight, production is not continuous (DCCEEW, 2025 b). This irregular output is known as intermittency, one of renewable energy’s most significant challenges. For the above reason, the energy generated cannot be continually used on-site but can be exported to the grid or stored.
For on-site renewable energy generation, the most frequently used options in Australian business are solar photovoltaic cells (also called solar panels or PV cells), wind energy and biomass.
Solar panels convert sunlight directly into electricity. Each solar panel is made up of many small units called solar cells. When sunlight strikes these cells, it creates a flow of electricity. Since solar power production relies on sunlight, energy generation drops when the sun is not shining – e.g. night time or during cloudy weather. Solar systems can be paired with batteries that store excess energy for later use to maintain a steady power supply during these times. Batteries can provide power overnight, during power outages and may reduce electricity bills. A rooftop installation is most beneficial when its energy output is higher than the building’s consumption, resulting in excess energy production being stored or exported to the grid (DCCEEW, 2025 b).
Wind energy refers to the energy generated by harnessing the wind – electricity is generated by turbines, which convert wind energy into mechanical energy to drive an electric generator that then produces power (ARENA, 2025 a).
Biomass conversion into heat, electricity, biogas and liquid fuels is a form of renewable energy known as bioenergy. The biomass is organic matter from forestry, agriculture or waste streams on a renewable basis. There are different forms of conversion depending on the input material, the type of energy to be produced and the scale of the project. Some conversion types include combustion, pyrolysis, gasification, anaerobic digestion and fermentation, or biorefining (a process that converts biomass into products) (ARENA, 2025 b). Biomass combustion, such as firewood or bagasse (material remaining after sugar cane crushing), represents nearly a third part of all renewable energy consumption in Australia (DCCEEW, 2025 f).
Regardless of the type of energy generation used, storage is essential to securing and stabilising a continuous power supply when issued from renewable energies. The standard energy storage device currently used is a lithium-ion battery. Despite this, researchers are developing other technologies, like new battery chemistries, including vanadium, zinc-bromine, and more. Additionally, different forms of energy storage are being explored, such as thermal storage and mechanical storage technologies (DCCEEW, 2025 b). Recent case studies include compressed air and underground hydrogen storage. The compressed air option is cost-effective and has a medium energy storage duration, between 4 to 12 hours, while the underground storage of compressed hydrogen is a long-term technology where the hydrogen, the lightest molecule, can be stored in tanks under high pressure or as a liquid in icy conditions, but, this type of storage needs a suitable geological place to be installed (CSIRO, 2025).
Renewable Energy Generation Incentives
The Australian government has a Renewable Energy Target Scheme to promote renewable energy generation, comprising the Large-scale Renewable Energy Target (LRET) and the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES). The former promotes investment in renewable energy power stations such as wind and solar farms or hydroelectric power stations. In contrast, the SRES is geared towards households and businesses to install small-scale renewable energy systems, including rooftop solar panels, solar water heaters, and small-scale wind or hydro systems (DCCEEW, 2025 e).
The Australian government assists with the LRET and SRES programs to reduce the cost of installing renewable energy systems. These programs are based on tradable certificates, large-scale generation certificates (LGCs) and small-scale technology certificates (STCs) for LRET and SRES. To illustrate, a rooftop solar system can qualify for STCs. Some STCs are allocated to the installation’s owner when installed or upgraded. The retailer or installer will apply for these STCs and sell them on the owner’s behalf, and their value will be included in the quote as a discount on the cost of the solar system. State, territory and local government or council schemes may also assist financially through rebates and loans for installing a rooftop solar system, depending on specific requirements (DCCEEW, 2025 d).
The Department of Climate Change Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) launched a Solar Consumer Guide to provide helpful information about rooftop solar and battery installation for households and small businesses. This initiative supports the growing adoption of renewable energy across the country.
At the same time, Australia is already a global leader in small-scale solar energy, particularly rooftop photovoltaic (PV) installations, which are widely used by both residential and commercial sectors. For those who may not have the option to install solar panels, purchasing green energy through a power retailer provides an alternative way to access renewable electricity. This option still enables consumers to contribute to national carbon reduction goals while supporting the transition to a cleaner energy future (DCCEEW, 2025 b).
Let’s not forget energy efficiency
While renewable energy is the focus of Earth Day 2025, it is essential to highlight the importance of responsible use of power in reducing carbon emissions, pollution and waste generation.
In 2011, the Commonwealth Government announced a merit-based grant program, the Low Income Energy Efficiency Program (LIEEP), to improve the energy efficiency of low-income households and enable them to better manage their energy use. The final report of this program highlighted that residential energy efficiency has multiple impacts, some of which can be direct, such as savings in the economy, or indirect, such as improvements in health and wellbeing or on the energy supply chain. Some housing-related energy efficiency activities include improving thermal quality, indoor air, and indoor temperature, which can positively impact health and wellbeing. Energy efficiency measures can also affect the energy supply chain in terms of improved capacity adequacy, better ability to manage peak demand and defer generation (ACIL Allen Consulting, 2017).
At the same time, energy efficiency in commercial buildings, including offices, factories and so on, will decrease the size of a Company’s energy bills and reduce its exposure to the variability of energy prices (EEC, 2025). These actions will not only contribute to the needed transition to renewable energy but also will help address goals for corporate social and environmental responsibility.
By changing our daily habits, we can reduce the quantity of energy we use, thereby contributing to carbon reduction. For example, even with a solar energy system installed, shifting high energy use to when electricity prices are lower and the system generates the most power can further improve efficiency and reduce costs.
How do I contribute?
In the case of energy consumption, offices are categorised as commercial buildings; in Australia, this sector accounts for around 25% of electricity use and 10% of total carbon emissions (DCCEEW, 2025 c). Even without investing in clean energy production installation, small and medium-sized businesses can contribute significantly to reducing energy use and emissions through more intelligent energy management practices.
According to a research report by the Energy Efficiency Council on the energy end-use for office tenancies, the base building consumes approximately 56% of the energy for services such as air conditioning and other shared infrastructure. The remaining 44% corresponds to tenant usage, varying depending on the presence of extra heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. The tenant’s energy consumption is further broken down as follows: 44% is used for lighting, followed by computer monitors at 25%, computer servers at 11%, and computers themselves and other equipment at 10% each (DCCEEW, 2021).
To improve this energy use, the first step businesses can take is to assess their current energy consumption and uses to identify areas of improvement. Based on this assessment, a tailored energy efficiency plan can be developed and implemented. Monitoring energy consumption following these changes and adaptations is essential to evaluate their effectiveness and measure their impact.
Improving energy efficiency can also involve upgrading or replacing outdated equipment, including HVAC systems, lighting and appliances. Alternatively, properly sizing equipment based on actual usage can significantly reduce energy use (EEC, 2025). These measures enhance energy performance and lead to cost savings over time. To facilitate this, the WA government published an energy-saving quick guide for Small Businesses to manage energy use, reduce costs and boost their profitability (Government of WA, 2025). Within this framework, ISPL is experienced with energy reporting and efficiency management, and if you would like assistance with monitoring and managing your energy consumption and reporting requirements, contact ISPL at enquiries@integratesustainability.co.au or call us at 08 9468 0338.
Earth Day—22 April “Our power, our planet”
References
ARENA. (2025 a, April 10). Wind Energy. Retrieved April 10, 2025, from Australian Renewable Energy Agency: https://arena.gov.au/renewable-energy/wind/
ARENA. (2025 b, April 7). Bioenergy. Retrieved April 10, 2025, from Australian Renewable Energy Agency: https://arena.gov.au/renewable-energy/bioenergy/
Climate Council. (2019, October 16). What is climate change and what can we do about it? Retrieved April 2, 2025, from Climate Council: https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/resources/what-is-climate-change-what-can-we-do/#unique-identifier-2
CSIRO. (2025, April 1). Energy Storage in Australia. Retrieved from Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation: https://www.csiro.au/en/research/technology-space/energy/Electricity-transition/Energy-storage/Energy-storage-in-Australia
DCCEEW. (2021, June). Determining office tenancies energy end use. Retrieved April 7, 2025, from Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water : https://www.dcceew.gov.au/energy/publications/determining-office-tenancies-energy-end-use
DCCEEW. (2024, September). National Greenhouse Gas Inventory Quarterly Update: September 2024. Retrieved April 2, 2025, from Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water: https://www.dcceew.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/nggi-quarterly-update-september-2024.pdf
DCCEEW. (2025 a, March 31). Net Zero. Retrieved from Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water: https://www.dcceew.gov.au/climate-change/emissions-reduction/net-zero
DCCEEW. (2025 b, April 1). Renewable energy. Retrieved from Energy information for all Australians: https://www.energy.gov.au/business/equipment-guides/renewable-energy
DCCEEW. (2025 c, April 2). Commercial buildings. Retrieved from Department of Climate change, Energy, the Environment and Water: https://www.dcceew.gov.au/energy/energy-efficiency/buildings/commercial-buildings
DCCEEW. (2025 d, April 2). Government rebates and loans for solar. Retrieved from Energy information for all Australians: https://www.energy.gov.au/solar/financial-benefits-solar/government-rebates-and-loans-solar#state-territory-and-local-government-or-council-schemes-1
DCCEEW. (2025 e, April 10). Renewable Energy Target scheme. Retrieved April 10, 2025 , from Depqrtment of Climate Change Energy the Environment and Water: https://www.dcceew.gov.au/energy/renewable/target-scheme
DCCEEW. (2025 f, April 10). Renewables. Retrieved April 10, 2025, from Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water: https://www.energy.gov.au/energy-data/australian-energy-statistics/renewables
EarthDay.Org. (2025, March 25). Earth Action Day. Retrieved from EarthDay.Org: https://www.earthday.org/earth-day-2025/
EEC. (2025, April 1). Energy Efficiency in Commercial Buildings. Retrieved from Energy Efficiency Council: https://www.eec.org.au/for-energy-users/energy-efficiency-in-commercial-buildings/overview#/overview
Government of WA. (2025, April 2). Energy Savings Quick Guide for Small Businesses. Retrieved from Government of Western Australia: https://www.wa.gov.au/government/multi-step-guides/energy-savings-quick-guide-small-businesses