June 2, 2008—The British Institute of Facilities Management (BIFM) is leading a project with the University of Reading’s School of Construction Management & Engineering to pull together existing best practice and innovation in sustainable FM. The project is intended to assist the FM industry to respond to the global challenges of climate change and environmental damage.
Over a two-year period, the BIFM Sustainable FM Knowledge Transfer Partnership project, supported by Kinnarps and partially funded by the Technology Strategy Board, will develop tools and information on sustainable FM. The project will demonstrate and communicate in a practical manner how sustainable development can be applied to every day decision-making.
BIFM notes that it is recognized by those at the forefront of sustainability and FM research and practice that although the FM profession has been presented with an opportunity to make a real and measurable difference by driving the sustainability agenda forward, it does not currently have easy access to the specialist knowledge, tools, and supporting case study material necessary to make this a reality.
To serve as a benchmark for sustainable FM practices, Kinnarps has sponsored two annual surveys for members and non-members to complete. The first survey took place in May 2007 and the second was launched in May 2008.
The initial survey issued in 2007 identified that in small or medium-sized enterprises the main barriers to organizations effectively managing their sustainability responsibilities were: lack of senior management commitment, lack of knowledge, and lack of awareness.
These findings highlight the need for an educational tool to empower FMs to secure senior management commitment by demonstrating the very real benefits that result from implementing sustainability measures, says BIFM.
To view results of the first survey or to participate in the second one, visit the BIFM Web site.
