Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) has become the go-to framework for reporting energy use and carbon emissions in the UK. For many organisations, it’s an essential annual exercise — a structured way to calculate carbon footprints and demonstrate compliance.
But here’s the question:
Is SECR the best tool for ongoing performance management?
Should you really be calculating a full carbon footprint every month or quarter?
While SECR is excellent for annual reporting, it may not be the most practical format for regular KPI monitoring. Instead, organisations may benefit from tracking more focused, operational KPIs throughout the year — metrics that not only drive meaningful carbon reductions but also make year-end SECR reporting far easier.
Let’s explore how.
Why KPIs Matter More Than You Think
Environmental KPIs are no longer just a “nice to have.”
· Some organisations are now negotiating environmental KPIs with investors as part of funding agreements.
· Others are driven by genuine commitment to reducing CO₂ emissions because it’s simply the right thing to do.
In both cases, speed matters.
If you only review your carbon performance annually through SECR, you’re effectively driving while looking in the rear-view mirror. By the time you identify an issue, months have passed.
Monitoring the right KPIs gives you:
· Real-time feedback on performance
· The ability to make quick course corrections
· Early visibility of barriers to improvement
· Clear evidence of whether interventions are working
The trick isn’t monitoring more data. It’s monitoring the right data.
Practical KPIs You Can Start Using Today
Every organisation is different — your sector, stakeholders, and customers will influence what matters most. But here are two powerful and practical starting points.
1. Energy Usage in Buildings
Your gas and electricity consumption is one of the clearest indicators of carbon performance.
The good news? The data already exists — in your utility bills or through your energy broker. Other fuels may require alternative data sources, but they are equally trackable.
Best practice approach:
· Measure in kWh
· Track using a 12-month rolling average
Why a rolling average?
Because it smooths seasonal variation and helps you quickly spot anomalies:
· An unexpected spike may indicate faulty equipment, poor controls, or behavioural issues.
· A reduction following an upgrade (e.g., LED lighting or insulation) confirms the intervention is working.
· No reduction? That’s your cue to investigate installation or performance issues.
If you manage multiple buildings, you can benchmark them against each other. This quickly identifies underperformers and helps prioritise action.
2. Fleet Fuel Consumption
For organisations with company vehicles, fuel use is another highly actionable KPI.
Fuel is typically measured in litres (diesel or petrol), but the real insight comes from linking this with:
· Telematics data
· Monthly mileage reports
When you combine these datasets, inefficiencies become visible:
· Which vehicles consume more than expected?
· Are certain routes or driving behaviours contributing?
· Do particular drivers require training?
This type of monitoring moves carbon reduction from theory to action.
The Hidden Benefit: SECR Made Simple
Here’s where it all comes together.
If you’ve been collecting and monitoring operational KPIs throughout the year, then when SECR reporting time arrives:
· Your energy data is already structured
· Your fuel usage is already verified
· Your trends and explanations are already documented
Instead of scrambling to reconstruct a year’s worth of data, everything is ready to hand over to your environmental consultant to transform into a compliant SECR report.
In other words, good KPI monitoring doesn’t replace SECR — it makes it easier, stronger, and more meaningful.
Choosing the Right Approach
Developing a robust SECR strategy and identifying meaningful KPIs can be complex. The right metrics depend on:
· Your operational profile
· Investor expectations
· Regulatory obligations
· Internal sustainability goals
Many organisations choose to work with professional environmental consultants to ensure their reporting is credible, compliant, and aligned with best practice.
If you’d like support with your SECR reporting — or help identifying the KPIs that will genuinely drive carbon reduction in your organisation — we’d be happy to help. Get in touch: https://shiftenvironment.co.uk/contact/