Engaging with stakeholders via trainings, webinars and other activities is at the core of the M-Benefits project. M-Benefits (Valuing & Communicating the Multiple Benefits of Energy Efficiency) is an EU-funded project that aims to increase the volume of energy saving actions implemented by private companies. Using a five-step method and toolkit, energy managers and other stakeholders identify and include multiple benefits, such as improvements in worker health, productivity or product quality, to show how energy efficiency contributes to a company’s competitive advantage.

This briefing is a collection of findings and results from the consultation processes in seven implementing countries: Austria, Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland, Portugal and Switzerland.

Some of the main conclusions are highlighted below:

• Most stakeholders were interested in the methodology developed by the project. However, companies’ responsible parties were hesitant to have their staff attend the training or agree to participate as a pilot project without a clear picture of what they would gain, especially financially.
• The interest in the methodology and the serious game was high, although including multiple benefits in the decision-making process is not high on the companies’ agenda.
• Various stakeholders recommended using the expression ‘non-energy benefits’, as it is more easily understandable by companies not familiar with the topic of multiple benefits.
•  The acquisition of pilot partners was challenging and time-consuming; webinars and trainings played an important role in introducing actors to the methodology and acted as a door-opener.
• Trainings helped in showing the stakeholders possible extra benefits of efficiency measures (e.g. shorter payback periods when considering multiple benefits), which they valued highly.
• A strong commitment from the management team of the company as well as the responsible staff is needed to ensure a successful implementation.