It is common to announce a sustainability target before knowing the current position. The result is a target that is either too easy or impossible. A baseline solves this.
Choose what to measure
For most sites, four areas cover the majority of impact: energy, water, waste and materials. Start with what you already pay for. Utility bills and waste contractor invoices are a ready source of data.
Set the boundary and period
Decide which sites and activities are included and which twelve-month period is the reference. Write this down. A baseline without a clear boundary cannot be compared with later years.
Check the data
Look for missing months, unit errors and unusual jumps. Ask the people who run the utilities if the numbers look right. Record every assumption. A baseline with known gaps, honestly noted, is more useful than one that looks complete but cannot be explained.
Relate it to activity
Total consumption rises and falls with production. Express key figures per unit of output or per hour worked as well as in total. This shows real efficiency changes.
Then set targets
With a baseline in place, targets can be based on identified actions, each with an owner and an expected saving. Review progress on a fixed schedule and update the plan as you learn.
This article gives general information only. It is not professional, legal or safety advice for your specific situation.