A newly published briefing paper from BRE in collaboration with the Energy Services and Technology Association (ESTA) addresses the opportunities that an ESOS audit offers and how organisations can benefit from them. Aimed at businesses that don't already have energy-savings measures in place, it provides guidance on how ESOS compliance processes can be optimised in order to save costs and reduce risks. The Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) directive makes it mandatory for many large UK organisations to comply with the scheme. One of the routes to compliance is regular energy audits, which identify opportunities for energy savings and the barriers to implementation. Many businesses see these audits purely as a cost or a time-consuming burden, however the recommendations given are an opportunity to apply simple low or no cost improvements to reduce risks and improve profitability and efficiency. This new briefing paper, 'Gaining Value from ESOS Audits', helps organisations choose between the various ways of complying with ESOS in order to secure optimum rewards. The paper, which was produced by BRE with the support of ESTA, outlines the basic principles of ESOS compliance then looks at the four main routes for achieving it, including when and how they can be used and their benefits: ISO 5001 – Energy Management; ESOS energy audits; Non Domestic Green Deal assessments; and Display Energy Certificates (DECs). The second part of the paper highlights the value that can be gained from implementing ESOS report recommendations, along with specific focus on in-practice application across buildings, industrial processes and transport. Co-author of the paper, Dr Andy Lewry, Principal Consultant, Sustainable Energy Team at BRE, said: 'The business and financial value that energy efficiency delivers is considerable. ESOS compliance should therefore not be seen as a tick-box exercise but rather a great opportunity to harness and optimise that return on investment.' 'Businesses should take maximum advantage of the simple solutions identified in ESOS reports', said Robin Hale, Director of the ESTA. 'Implementation will mean better control and management of energy consumption, which is when businesses can then see the real benefits - not only in terms of profitability but also environmentally and socially.' Gaining Value from ESOS Audits' is available free on-line www.bre.co.uk/esos For further information please contact Linda McKeown, BRE, email pressoffice@bregroup.com Notes to editor BRE We are a world leading building science centre and the authority on all aspects of the built environment. We generate new knowledge through research that is used to create products, tools and standards that drive positive change across the built environment. We enable our government and private sector clients to meet the environmental, social and economic challenges they face by delivering higher performing, better quality, safer, more secure and more sustainable products homes, buildings and communities. We are owned by the BRE Trust, a registered charity, which funds research and education that advances knowledge of the built environment.  We are committed to building a better world together. We are BRE. www.bre.co.uk ESTA ESTA, the Energy Services and Technology Association, the UK’s leading Energy Management industry association (www.esta.org.uk). ESTA is a unique trade association shaping the agenda for reduction in the demand-side energy sector. It formulates strategic direction and creates opportunities for its members to increase market share. In addition, ESTA provides access to knowledge, best practice and influences future market direction.