Circular Economy, ESG, Sustainability, Net Zero, BIM, IWMS, CMMS, IOT, Sensors, IEQ, Data to name a few. My budget is short, manpower is stretched what do I do!?!?
STEP 1:
What are the goals of your companies Strategic Plan? Aligning with those goals is the only way to succeed. Create your plan with the Strategic Plan in the forefront, reference it so that it becomes easier to approve. It is possible that the Strategic Plan hits all of the Green Goals, which is actually a good thing. This means that the C-Suite is serious about climate issues, and gives you the green light (no pun intended) to put together a plan that makes the Strategic Plan a success.
STEP 2:
Many of the items listed, and others align, in purpose, time frame and degree are the key differentiators. Start with Sustainability it will set the tone for ESG, Net Zero, Circular Economy and start you on your way to those goals. There is always the low hanging fruit, LED lighting, low flow plumbing fixtures, Fully digital controls on HVAC and a good BCS. These are the easiest to build a business case for and gett approved. Now you need a ladder, the fruit is getting higher and more costly, harder to build a business case for, but still necessary. IEQ is a serious hot button and as Facility Managers (FMs) we are responsible for the air piece of IEQ since we control the HVAC. Now we are looking at Sensors to gather Data on Occupancy and Location, Humidity, Particulate, Temperature, Co2. We need this Data to build our Business Case for making changes to the HVAC system to allow us to reduce unoccupied room HVAC to reduce utility consumption and carbon emissions.
STEP 3:
Make sure that your Marketing Team knows about the goals that you have met, energy reduction, water reduction, carbon reduction so they can tout the ESG gains to the public and shareholders. This will build trust in your initiatives, and make it easier to continue moving forward in this journey.
STEP 4:
The building envelope and its systems are pretty much in line with Corporate goals, so let’s look outside. Can you replant landscape areas with native drought tolerant plants to reduce water consumption? Minimize grass that has to be mowed by gas engines. Can you create a walking path, maybe with stretching/exercise stations for the health of staff and neighbors? ESG has just been enhanced, you reduced water and mowing (Environmental), created a healthier workforce and neighborhood (Social), and all because the C-Suite directed and financed (Governance).
STEP 5:
This is the toughest step of all, finding ways of reusing Capitol Equipment that is at end of life. Recycle is ok, but can components be used for other purposes, or used in the replacement products? Many carpets are now being separated from their backing and both components being reused in carpet manufacturing, or other uses. Batteries are being recycled and components reused for new batteries, Office furniture as well, partitions, chairs being reupholstered and refurbished and resold. Every day there are more opportunities for adding to the Circular Economy, and it is our job to use them.
STEP 6:
This one takes a lot of patience, Change Management skills, and that is looking internally at your operation and reducing paper consumption, moving as much as possible to electronics. Work Orders, Work Requests etc. Benchmark your current usage and celebrate the improvement, maybe other teams will follow suit.
Step 7:
Look at how you can reduce carbon emissions even further. Look at your purchasing habits, how many deliveries do you get per day, week, month? Can you consolidate? Order bigger quantities? Order from fewer vendors to decrease the number of deliveries and increase the amount per delivery? What about service calls, can you schedule a full days work for vendors instead of having them drive out multiple days? How about your staff, can they focus on work in a single building then on to another one instead of going building to building? True, this might slow response time, but in non-emergencies is a day really that critical?
SUMMARY:
It seems to be a daunting task, but take it one step at a time. Need help wading through the products, services and noise? IFMA is there for you, look in the Knowledge Base, get on Engage and ask away, hire a Consultant like Left Coast Facilities Consulting to help you put your plan together.
