Media releases

As part of its pledge to be a net zero business by 2035, the Partnership is engaging with professional membership body the Energy Institute (EI) to roll out its EnergyAware behaviour change tool to all employees - known as Partners - over the next two years. This has been delivered as part of an energy fund which is part of the John Lewis Partnership energy supply contract with ENGIE.

Partners across John Lewis and Waitrose will navigate through the bespoke online tool, transporting them from a home setting to a John Lewis distribution centre and Waitrose and John Lewis retail sites. This will enable them to have a better understanding of how changes in their behaviour can help reduce energy use, costs and carbon emissions.

Nadia Hartley, Partner & Commercial Analysis Manager, Utilities & Carbon says:

“This is a timely training tool given the tumultuous state of energy markets in 2022. Not only do we wish to support Partners at home in the face of these trials, but also support the behaviour change in our properties.

“The training in partnership with the EI allows the Partnership to embed these skills with all Partners in line with our net zero commitments.”

EI Chief Executive Nick Wayth CEng FEI welcomed the agreement, saying:

“EnergyAware will take John Lewis Partners on an immersive journey, educating them about their ability at every turn to influence energy consumption, helping to cut costs and harmful emissions.

“This is a far-sighted investment by John Lewis. It will accelerate the Partnership’s journey to net zero and, more broadly, equip 76,000 more people to make informed decisions in their everyday lives at work and home.”

Organisations of all sizes stand to make significant energy, cost and carbon savings through simple staff behaviour changes, but it’s often difficult to engage a busy workforce. The EnergyAware module is quick, interactive and fun for staff to complete. It can be adapted to suit any workplace environment and incorporate company branding and sustainability messaging. It provides a customised checklist of actions to implement and certification on course completion.

EnergyAware has already been developed for office, manufacturing, logistics, warehouse, construction and healthcare sector environments. The John Lewis Partnership will be the biggest roll out to date, and the first in retail, and was developed and delivered in collaboration with our partners, ENGIE and Rio ESG Limited.

The EI also provides one of the most extensive portfolios of energy management training – in classroom and online in the UK and around the world - as well as accrediting individuals to become Chartered Energy Manager, the gold standard qualification in energy management.

Notes for editors

• For media enquiries, please contact Neil Michie on 020 7467 7132 or nmichie@energyinst.org
• More information about EnergyAware and the EI’s energy management training can be found at: https://www.energyinst.org/whats-on/training/energy-management or by contacting webtraining@energyinst.org.
• The Energy Institute (EI) is the chartered professional membership body for people who work across the world of energy.
  Our purpose is creating a better energy future for our members and society by accelerating a just global energy transition to net zero.
  We do this by attracting, developing and equipping the diverse future energy workforce; informing energy decision-making through convening expertise and advice; and enabling industry to make energy lower carbon, safer and more efficient.
  Join us to be part of a global energy community of 20,000 individuals and 200 companies. www.energyinst.org @EnergyInstitute
• The John Lewis Partnership owns and operates two of Britain's best-loved retail brands - John Lewis and Waitrose.
  Started as a radical idea nearly a century ago, the Partnership is the largest employee-owned business in the UK and amongst the largest in the world, with around 78,000 employees who are all Partners in the business.
  Profits made are reinvested into the business - for customers and Partners. John Lewis operates 34 shops plus one outlet across the UK as well as johnlewis.com.
  Waitrose has 331 shops in England, Scotland, Wales and the Channel Islands, including 59 convenience branches, and another 27 shops at Welcome Break locations.
  The retailer's omnichannel business includes the online grocery service, Waitrose.com, as well as specialist online shops including waitrosecellar.com for wine and waitroseflorist.com for plants and flowers.
• ENGIE is a global energy player with UK investments in renewable energy and storage, whilst supplying energy to organisations of all sizes. ENGIE has been active in the UK energy market for over 20 years
• Rio ESG Limited (Rio) helps organisations to be more sustainable through its online ESG data and reporting platform and learning content.
  Rio’s platform is used by hundreds of organisations to manage and understand their sustainability data and reporting – including energy and carbon.
  Rio also provides hundreds of hours of sustainability-themed learning modules, accredited training programmes, and develops bespoke and tailored content too.