Sustainability in FM

The aim of the Sustainability in FM website is to develop practical tools for the FM professional so that they can improve the implementation and management of sustainable practices in their working environments. 

The website is a partnership between BIFM and the University of Reading and is an initiative of the BIFM Sustainability Special Interest Group.  It provides a tool that illustrates good practice through practical examples, clear descriptions of sustainability issues, unbiased reflections of lessons learnt and links to centres of excellence.

The website developed through a co-ordinated research project consisting of workshops, surveys and interviews which have identified the knowledge gaps and questions around sustainability and what these mean to the FM professional and the industry.

The "Knowledge Transfer Partnerships” (KTP) project was completed in the Summer 2010, which was part funded through a grant from the Technology Strategy Board and Kinnarps. The research project helped to set up and improve competitiveness and productivity through the more informed knowledge. Since the completion of the KTP, the Sustainability in FM project continues to be managed by BIFM.
 
The website currently contains around 37 case studies which are provided by organisations across all economic sectors.  The case studies provide valuable support in developing the understanding of the most common issues faced by the FM professional in the process of developing and managing sustainable practices in buildings.

Each case study pursues a balanced approach between the environmental and social implications of the practice, whilst aiming to provide an overview of the financial context that supports them. All case studies are vetted to provide relevance to FM. Key terms and definitions will also be accessible from the website.

19 concise and informative articles concerning the topics covered on the case studies can also be found on the website at:  www.sustainabilityinfm.org.uk.

The goal is for the site to expand and cover practices across a comprehensive yet balanced range of Sustainability issues across Environment, Social and Economic categories.
 
A second phase of the project is to involve enabling functions in the website that support feedback from users as well as stimulate, through forums, the sharing of knowledge between its registered members.

Sponsorship is now being sought for the development of the website, including ongoing upkeep and maintenance of the web pages, to make the tool sustainable over many years.

If you would like to provide a case study or article material or know more about how you can share your knowledge and experiences with the wider FM community through our website, please visit and register for free at: www.sustainabilityinfm.org.uk or contact the Knowledge team at knowledge@bifm.org.uk.

FM World also have a number of articles on sustainability, please visit the FM World site for further information.