Skip to main content
Facilitate Magazine: Informing Workplace and Facilities Management Professionals - return to the homepage Facilitate magazine logo
  • Search
  • Visit Facilitate Magazine on Facebook
  • Visit Facilitate Magazine on LinkedIn
  • Visit @Facilitate_Mag on Twitter
Visit the website of the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management Logo of the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management

Main navigation

  • Home
  • News
    • Comment
    • People
    • Reports
    • Research
  • Features
    • Analysis
    • Features
    • Round Tables
    • Webinars
  • Outsourcing
    • Contract Finder
    • Contracts
    • FM Business Models
    • Interviews
    • Mergers & Acquisitions
    • Opinion
    • Procurement
    • Trends
  • Know-How
    • Explainers
    • Legal Updates
    • White Papers
  • Jobs
  • Topics
    • Workplace Services
      • Hospitality
      • Catering
      • Cleaning
      • Front of House
      • Grounds Maintenance
      • Helpdesk
      • Mailroom
      • Manned Guarding / Security
      • Pest Control
      • Washroom Services
      • Disaster Recovery
      • Specialist Services
    • Professional Performance
      • Behavioural Change
      • Continual Professional Development
      • Education
      • Management
      • Recruitment
      • Training
    • Workplace Performance
      • Benchmarking
      • Health & Wellbeing
      • Operational Readiness
      • Procurement
      • Security
      • Workplace User Experience
      • Workplace Culture
    • Compliance
      • Health & Safety
      • Risk & Business Continuity
      • Standards
      • Statutory Compliance
    • Building Services
      • Architecture & Construction
      • Asset Management
      • Building Controls
      • Building Fabric
      • Drinking Water
      • Fire Protection
      • HVAC
      • Landscaping
      • Mechanical & Electrical
      • Building Security
      • Water, Drainage & Plumbing
    • Technology
      • Building Information Modelling
      • CAFM
      • Data & Networks
      • Document Management
      • Information Management
      • Internet of Things (IoT)
      • Software & Systems
    • Energy management
      • Energy Management Systems
      • Electricity
      • Gas
      • Solar
      • Wind
    • Sustainability
      • Environmental Quality
      • Social Value
      • Waste Management
      • Recycling
    • Workspace Design
      • Agile Working
      • Fit-Out & Refurbishment
      • Inclusive Access
      • Lighting
      • Office Interiors
      • Signage
      • Space Planning
      • Storage
      • Vehicle Management / Parking
      • Washroom
    • Sectors
      • Corporate Office
      • Education
      • Healthcare
      • Manufacturing
      • International
      • Retail
      • Sports & Leisure
      • Regions
  • Buyers' Guide
Quick links:
  • Home
  • Topics
News
Professional Performance
Sustainability
Energy management
Environmental Quality

BIFM sustainability survey pinpoints emerging themes

Open-access content Thursday 8th September 2016 — updated 4.00pm, Tuesday 26th May 2020
bifm sustainability survey

BIFM Sustainability in FM Survey

8 September 2016 | Marino Donati


The shifting environment of FM, the evolving language of sustainability and new technology and social factors, are some of the themes that have influenced FM's role in the sustainability agenda over the last ten years, according to BIFM research.

 

In its 10th annual survey, 'BIFM Sustainability Survey: Where are we 10 years on', reflects on the work undertaken over the past decade to capture the impact of sustainability within the FM sector.

 

Peter Brogan, research and information manager at BIFM, said that with the increasing demand for sustainable business, one of the survey's key aims was to analyse how the sector was adapting and tackling sustainability by orchestrating workshops and surveys for FM professionals.

 

"The three key areas on empowerment, procurement and skills were identified in this year's report and we will be working alongside BIFM's Sustainability Special Interest Group (SIG) to take a leading role on delivering against the series of actions that need to be taken to continue to embed sustainability into day-to-day practices," said Brogan.

 

The report looked back at how sustainability in FM has evolved over the last ten years and forward to consider likely developments in the decade ahead.

 

Shifts identified over the past ten years have been in the language used to define and communicate what sustainability means, and in the increasing use of technology.

 

"The report has illustrated further how the FM profession has a pivotal role to play in leading and embedding sustainable practices across the whole business agenda," said Brogan.

 

The survey also indentified the themes of wellbeing and productivity as potential influences affecting the future of traditional sustainability practices in FM.

 

Technology, such as building information modelling (BIM), and key social factors, such as pay, diversity and social value, are also emerging themes, according to the survey.

 

The rapidly changing environment, including the workplace and the widening scope of FM in modern society, is one of the things that is making it difficult to predict the future of sustainability, the research finds.

 

Sunil Shah, chair of the Sustainability Special Interest Group, said that FM had matured over the last ten years with more understanding of its role in helping to lead organisations' environmental improvements.

 

"It also reflects the challenges ahead as we grapple with the social impacts affecting the staff we employ, suppliers contracted and the communities we engage with," said Shah. "Mainstreaming these areas into FM activities and with senior management will become the biggest driver over the coming years to manage reputational risks."

 

The report makes recommendations to bring sustainability to the forefront of FM and business discussions, including reviewing the current definitions of sustainability, performing a detailed risk review of sustainability and providing guidance and case studies to support FMs.

 

It also suggests ensuring training maximises sustainable potential, developing sustainability awareness programmes, and establishing an evidence-based approach to sustainability that includes non-financial benefits.

Also filed in:
Topics
News
Content
Professional Performance
Sustainability
Energy management
Environmental Quality

You might also like...

Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Linked in
  • Mail
  • Print

Today's top reads

 

Latest Jobs

Project Leader (Maternity Cover One Year Contract)

Cambridge
Circa £50,000 Pro Rata + Benefits & Opportunities
Reference
56378

Maintenance Supervisor

Surrey
Up to £43,000 + Excellent Package & Opportunities
Reference
56376

Regional Facilities Manager

South West England
Circa £40,000 + Benefits & Opportunities
Reference
56375
See all jobs »

 

 

Sign up to our newsletter

News, jobs and updates

Sign up

Subscribe to print

Sign up to receive our bi-monthly magazine

Subscribe
Facilitate magazine cover, June 2020
​
FOLLOW US
@Facilitate_Mag
Facilitate Magazine
Facilitate Magazine
CONTACT US
Contact us
Tel: 020 7880 6200
​

IWFM

About IWFM
Become a member
Qualifications
Events

Information

Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
Cookie Policy
Think Green

Get in touch

Contact us
Advertise with us
Subscribe to Facilitate Magazine
Write for Facilitate Magazine

General

IWFM Jobs
Help

© 2022 • www.facilitatemagazine.com and Facilitate Magazine are published by Redactive Media Group. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any part is not allowed without written permission.

Redactive Media Group Ltd, 71-75 Shelton Street, London WC2H 9JQ