The ESOS Action Plan deadline has been extended to March 2025
Organisations in scope of ESOS have been given an extra three months to submit an Action Plan, the Environment Agency (EA) has announced.
The official deadline remains as 5th December 2024, but the EA says it will now accept Action Plans submitted by 5th March 2025, given delays to development of the online reporting system.
In its ESOS newsletter, the EA said:
“Organisations should still look to meet the 5 December 2024 deadline where possible… We appreciate there has been a delay in providing the MESOS digital service and the functionality to submit an Action Plan is not yet available. To assist participants in preparing and submitting their Action Plans, The Environment Agency and Regulators for the Devolved Administrations will accept submitted Action Plans provided that you submit them by the 5 March 2025.”
About ESOS Action Plans
Action Plans are new to ESOS and are aimed at encouraging organisations to act on their audit recommendations. Government guidelines say an Action Plan should include details of:
- what you intend to do to reduce energy consumption
- when you intend to do it
- whether it was recommended through your ESOS assessment
- what energy savings you expect to achieve over the four-year period covered by the action plan
- how you estimated these savings
Organisations must then submit an annual Progress Update against Action Plan commitments, in the two subsequent years.
Action Plans: your options
This new element of ESOS is designed to drive action on energy efficiency – but it is, in effect, optional.
If you don’t plan on implementing energy saving measures, or have yet to make investment decisions, you can submit a notification stating that you will take no action. If you don’t make a submission then by default it will be recorded and published that you do not intend to carry out any energy saving action.
If you do subsequently take action to reduce energy consumption, you can still submit an annual progress update stating any actions you have taken.
This option may take the pressure off organisations who are unsure of their next steps.
Advice and support
Download our free best practice guide now to unlock the full potential of your ESOS Action Plan and identify measures that pay. Concept’s Environment Agency-approved ESOS Lead Assessors have been helping organisations achieve compliance since the scheme launched in 2014. Contact us for advice.
