For multi-site organisations, informed decision making on capital investment aimed closing the energy efficiency gap, cutting carbon emissions and improving network performance across a global site base is a complex problem. This paper presents the systematic development and implementation of a novel methodology to reach optimal energy efficiency in multi-site organisations across their network whilst reducing carbon footprint. The methodology, a Global Energy Management System, is based on the

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... following strategic pillars: (1) Site Characterization (2) Performance Evaluation via key performance indicators and energy benchmarking (3) Energy Strategy (4) Shared learnings and dissemination. These pillars are underpinned by essential foundations: (a) Global energy team and communication forum, (b) Knowledge base at site and global level, and (c) Corporate Energy Policy. The methodology culminates with a simplified, understandable, systematic, repeatable and scalable decision support framework addressing the complexities unique to decision-making on capital investments in global multi-site organisation. A case study is presented for a multi-national corporation in the life sciences industry. The proposed approach increased the visibility of energy and related carbon emissions issues and triggered unprecedented levels of funding and support for energy efficiency measures, leading to entering the energy efficiency continuous improvement journey towards optimal network performance.