Global climate change and the electricity supply constraints could possibly be one of the utmost strategic issues facing businesses and consumers of all sizes currently in South Africa. Energy Efficiency is the ability to produce the same output but with less energy. The implementation of Energy Efficiency strategies is pivotal in order to sustain the climatic conditions as well as mitigate the supply constraints the South African utility Eskom is experienced. The aim of this study was to reiterate the importance of energy efficiency strategies and to identify the barriers and challenges companies face towards implementing energy efficiency and energy management strategies. This dissertation identified incentives and rebate schemes available to promote energy efficiency strategies and discussed the policies and strategies the South African Government implemented towards realising the energy efficiency target of 12%.The literature review conclude with discussing best practices indentified by implementing corporate energy efficiency strategies. The level of preparedness and progress in implementing an energy management system and strategies between the different companies were assessed. The target population includes the high intensity user group (HIU), listed and SME companies in the different industry sectors in South Africa. The study concludes that there are still multiple challenges facing companies in implementing sustainable energy efficiency strategies. Although government and multiple stakeholders are initiating incentive and rebate models to promote the implementation of energy efficiency measures, industry still lacks the commitment to change their behaviour toward implementing energy management strategies. / Thesis (MBA)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

Global climate change and the electricity supply constraints could possibly be one of the utmost strategic issues facing businesses and consumers of all sizes currently in South Africa. Energy Efficiency is the ability to produce the same output but with less energy. The implementation of Energy Efficiency strategies is pivotal in order to sustain the climatic conditions as well as mitigate the supply constraints the South African utility Eskom is experienced. The aim of this study was to reiterate the importance of energy efficiency strategies and to identify the barriers and challenges companies face towards implementing energy efficiency and energy management strategies. This dissertation identified incentives and rebate schemes available to promote energy efficiency strategies and discussed the policies and strategies the South African Government implemented towards realising the energy efficiency target of 12%.The literature review conclude with discussing best practices indentified by implementing corporate energy efficiency strategies. The level of preparedness and progress in implementing an energy management system and strategies between the different companies were assessed. The target population includes the high intensity user group (HIU), listed and SME companies in the different industry sectors in South Africa. The study concludes that there are still multiple challenges facing companies in implementing sustainable energy efficiency strategies. Although government and multiple stakeholders are initiating incentive and rebate models to promote the implementation of energy efficiency measures, industry still lacks the commitment to change their behaviour toward implementing energy management strategies. / Thesis (MBA)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.