Sustainability in Facilities Management

Supporting a sustainable FM and real estate sector

The FM and Real Estate sector has risen to the challenge of delivering smarter, more flexible workplaces, but there is still much to do. Ensuring safety, enhancing wellbeing and improving productivity remain critical objectives, alongside a number of pressing sustainability challenges.

Environmental challenges

The existing built environment and its surroundings have a significant and continual environmental impact. Buildings account for around 45% of the UK’s CO2 emissions.

But the issue goes wider than controlling emissions and the huge challenges of hitting net zero carbon. Looking at the efficient use of resources, implementing a circular economy, whole-life costing and nature positive solutions, and applying this knowledge to reduce environmental impacts and costs is critical to improvement.

Labour challenges, social value, wellbeing and productivity

Targeting and accessing local labour, engaging more smaller, local suppliers and recruiting and developing apprentices help to deliver Social Value at local level. Responding robustly to the risks of Modern Slavery and other aspects of potential labour market exploitation make it necessary to re-think approaches to procurement, tendering, recruitment and management.  Fairness, inclusion and respect is an essential part of the mix.

The sector has a pressing need to attract, retain and develop the best possible talent across the sector and its supply chains, all within a highly competitive labour market. It needs people who understand and care about sustainability. The School is here to help this happen.