The Workplace Footprint Tracker web-enabled energy monitoring software benefits both tenants and landlords.

1 Automatic and remote readings of energy consumption through links to either BMS or meters eliminate the shortcomings of manual readings:

• Human error
• Lengthy and expensive process
• The need to arrange access to the property for meter readers

2 Sub-metering increases visibility of energy use within buildings and therefore accountability for all building users. Individual tenants can be provided with their own Workplace Footprint Tracker to provide detailed information on energy use. Where tenants occupy more than one property, they can use the Workplace Footprint Tracker to present data on energy consumption from their total property portfolio to compare performance.

This enables more accurate billing based on actual usage and therefore provides financial incentives for individual tenants to reduce energy consumption.

3 Landlords and tenants required to participate in the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) trading scheme will benefit financially as a result of reduced energy consumption.

The CRC trading scheme is to be introduced from 2010 for organisations with an annual electricity consumption over 6MWH or equivalent to an annual electricity bill of £500,000. This will provide financial benefits or penalties for organisations according to their ability to demonstrate energy reduction. Landlords are likely to be legally responsible for compliance with CRC legislation as the "counterparty" to the energy supply contract. Participants must purchase carbon allowances to cover their emissions. They will therefore reduce their financial liability by reducing their energy consumption. In addition the funds from the purchase of carbon allowances will be repaid to participants proportionate to their ranking in a performance league table linked to energy reduction.