As much as 70 percent of organizations are paying more attention to energy efficiency than a year ago and 58 percent are expecting to increase investments next year, according to the 2017 Johnson Controls Energy Efficiency Indicator (EEI) survey.

Cost reduction remained the most important driver for investments globally, with 77 percent rating it as a very or extremely significant factor in driving investments. In the United States and Canada, greenhouse gas emissions reduction and energy security were the most significant drivers at 92 percent and 91 percent, respectively.

Investments in heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment was the most popular improvement made last year, reported by 75 percent of respondents. On-site renewable energy was the most popular planned investment over the coming year, with 57 percent of organizations planning to invest. Energy storage is also gaining momentum, with 48 percent of organizations planning to make investments in the next 12 months.

The 2017 survey polled more than 1,500 facility and management executives in the United States, Canada and 10 other countries. It marks the 11th year Johnson Controls has conducted EEI surveys, which analyze energy efficiency and renewable energy plans, practices and investments among executive-level decision makers.