Creating A Net-Zero Workplace Through FM
By Stuart Craig, Director of Facilities Management, SPACE.
Sustainability ranks as one of the main topics of discussion in Facilities Management right now, alongside ‘new ways of working’. Pressure to reduce energy consumption in buildings has become a necessity as we seek to meet the UK Government’s ambitious carbon reduction targets.
Achieving optimal performance amidst sustainability imperatives and rising costs is a delicate balancing act for FM’s. Regulation requires greater energy efficiency and building occupants may be driven by their own net-zero commitments as well as the desire to reduce operational energy costs. By adopting a strategic approach, FM’s can ensure that building services align with the needs of their business and people while minimising the impact on the environment.
Evaluating The Green Credentials Of Buildings
Working with aging and inefficient buildings increases the challenge of achieving net-zero emissions targets by 2050. According to research carried out by Savills, three-quarters of the UK office market falls below the minimum energy efficiency standards which are set to be introduced by 2030.
Making the built environment energy efficient in order to meet user demand is paramount but this is not the only priority. An energy efficient building with the wrong facilities will not work for everyone and green energy will simply be wasted. Instead, there is a need for a co-ordinated effort and honest discussion about user demand.
Beyond addressing the deficiencies in buildings themselves, there is an opportunity to drive sustainability within almost every FM operation. From eliminating plastic from canteens and reducing waste within the supply chain, to using renewable energy, FM’s hold the keys to unlocking the low-carbon workplaces that we need to deliver.
Tapping Into Data
In the cost of living crisis, tackling every problem is not always possible, so funds must be used efficiently. Strategic FM’s can harness data to achieve valuable insights into how workspaces are impacting progress towards sustainability targets and use the information to drive a plan for change.
Starting from the ground up should not be seen as an obstacle. The baselining period enables FM’s to benchmark progress while monitoring, measuring, and managing environmental impact in the long-term.
Investing In Cultural Change
The journey to net-zero can be overwhelming for organisations, creating uncertainty around what can be done within financial constraints.
In holding the influence over decisions that impact carbon emissions within services and buildings, FM’s are strategically positioned to drive change. By working in partnership with leaders, supply chains and clients, FM’s can encourage stakeholders to invest in the green agenda and align sustainability initiatives.
The Next Step For FM
It’s clear in the post-lockdown world that the workplace isn’t going anywhere as more people return to the office, but FM’s need to focus on creating sustainable spaces and partnering with organisations to reach net‑zero. Looking back to pre‑pandemic offices with utilisation levels of less than 50%, organisations are now heeding their environmental responsibility of having the right-sized workspace that also stacks up commercially.
To achieve this, FM’s have to balance their challenges with need. Achieving this while creating the ideal workplace for the future is not straightforward, which is where working with a skilled consultancy can make decisions easier. So many businesses are at different stages of their journey and no one solution fits all – the only way to progress and meet challenges is through taking the time to listen, review and plan, while considering that every project, however small, plays its part in creating our current and future built environment that will tick all the boxes.
Click the article to enlarge it.
