News
Have your say on Sustainability
01-05-09 15:52 BIFM
The 3rd BIFM annual Sustainability Survey, sponsored by Kinnarps, will be available through May for completion to the BIFM members and wider FM community through www.bifm.org.uk.
The initial survey issued in 2007 identified that in small or medium-sized enterprises the main barriers to organisations effectively managing their sustainability responsibilities were lack of senior management commitment, in addition to lack of knowledge and awareness. In the second survey (2008) financial constraints made their way to the top of the chart, also highlighting that although organisations were increasingly developing sustainability policies, they were most likely overlooking their implementation and continuous management, both recognised critical factors to the success of any policy.
For those at the forefront of sustainability and facilities management research and practice, it is easy to appreciate that although the FM profession has been presented with an opportunity to make a real and measurable difference in driving the sustainability agenda forward, the profession lacks the specialist knowledge, tools and supporting case study material necessary to make this a reality.
The first step is to measure where the FM profession stands in terms of managing the implementation of sustainable practices, and here is where the Sustainability Survey holds its upmost value. The Survey forms part of a project aimed at demonstrating and communicating in a practical manner how sustainable development can be integrated into every day decision-making relevant to the FM industry. The project is being developed through a joint effort between BIFM and
Gordon Ludlow, chair of sustainability special interest group said, “As a profession we need to know where we are on the road of providing sustainable solutions to our clients before we can plan what we need to be able to take the next steps.”
The survey has helped bring to light 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. In March 2009, the 'Sustainability in FM' website portal was launched at BIFM Annual Conference. The Portal, which will develop over the coming year, includes case studies, articles and links to centres of excellence which share best practice and enable FMs to learn from the challenges encountered across the industry.
If you would like to submit a case study and share your experiences in managing sustainable practices, please visit the Sustainability in FM website (www.sustainabilityinfm.org.uk) or contact Roberto Valle at Roberto.vallekinloch@bifm.org.uk.
