FMJ Facilities Management magazine providing industry-specific intelligence to FM and property professionals
PART 3: BRIDGING THE SKILLS GAP AND EMBEDDING SUSTAINABILITY IN FM STRATEGIES
The growing need for expertise
As the FM industry evolves to meet the increasing demand for more sustainable solutions, bridging the skills gap has become critical. FM companies are starting to understand the increasing need to upskill their teams to ensure that the data required is identified, collected, and reported on. As Scope 3 emissions tend to make up a majority of a company’s carbon footprint (80-95 per cent of an organisation’s footprint ), this is becoming an ever more pressing issue.
FM providers are increasingly tasked with delivering decarbonisation services, not only for their own operations but also to support their clients in reducing the carbon intensity of their supply chains. As FM clients focus on engaging their suppliers in sustainability efforts, FM providers must enhance their understanding of Scope 3 emissions and the ways their activities impact their clients’ emissions.
Leading by example
While technical expertise is essential for delivery teams and for the supply chain, it is also critical that leaders are knowledgeable in sustainability strategy. Making sure that senior management within FMs understand Scope 3 emissions and their company’s impact helps drive the business’ strategy and allows for sustainable practices to become embedded in the business from top to bottom. Leaders who grasp the complexities of Scope 3 emissions are better positioned to drive the investments and initiatives needed to tackle these challenges effectively.
The UK Government’s Scope 3 Emissions Call for Evidence highlighted the importance of upskilling as a key enabler for addressing emissions. The report emphasised that while the initial investment in training employees might seem significant, it yields long-term benefits. Once staff have gained familiarity with methodologies, established data pipelines, and implemented automated reporting systems, the process becomes more efficient, reducing both costs and effort over time.
Moving forward
Addressing Scope 3 emissions presents a significant challenge for FM providers, but it is also an opportunity to drive long-term value and sustainability leadership. With regulatory pressures intensifying and client expectations evolving, FM companies must take proactive steps to improve data accuracy, enhance supply chain collaboration, and invest in upskilling their workforce.
By embedding sustainability into their core business strategies and working closely with clients and suppliers, FM providers can position themselves as essential partners in the transition to a low-carbon economy.
Collaboration between clients and FM providers is essential to aligning sustainability objectives. This partnership not only enhances sustainability performance but also positions FM providers as key allies in achieving net-zero ambitions. Given the complexity of FM service, accurate emissions tracking can be challenging. Addressing these challenges requires a joint effort to ensure data accuracy and transparency across the entire value chain.
Finally, building a skilled and knowledgeable workforce is another important step in addressing Scope 3 emissions. FM providers should prioritise sustainability when hiring and training employees to ensure that their teams are equipped to champion sustainability within their operations and across the value chain. By embedding sustainability at every level, through leadership, collaboration, and workforce development, FM providers can lead the industry toward a more sustainable future.
Help understanding your Scope 3 Emissions
Our The Scope 3 Framework for Facilities Management provides the industry’s first standardised approach to emissions measurement. This is an important step toward standardising emissions reporting across the FM sector, helping providers align with regulatory requirements and build a foundation for meaningful action.
At the SFMI we’ve been partnering with leading facilities management providers since 2013. Our work with FMs has helped them tackle a variety of sustainability challenges. We are proud to be driving a more sustainable future for the industry.
If your business is struggling to understand the implications of Scope 3 emissions, or has other ESG needs, we’re here to help.
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