Embedding Sustainability into Facilities Management
07/03/2006
Sustainability practices just got easier for the facility management profession as the International Facility Management Association has announced a collaborative agreement with the Alliance for Sustainable Built Environments to develop and deliver sustainability educational programs as well as provide research and planning tools.Since 2003 the Alliance which includes the international companies Johnson Controls Milliken & Company Forbo Flooring Philips Lighting JohnsonDiversey and Owens Corning has been working to educate the marketplace and top management on the benefits of reducing the overall impact facilities have on the natural environment and on building occupants.
This new partnership will bring sustainability concepts and state of the art practices to a vital division of all business organizations. Currently more than 18400 facility management professionals are members of IFMA managing nearly 23 billion square feet of workspace combined.
“Fifty-nine percent of IFMA’s North American members are currently implementing some sustainable practices often without a plan and another 17 percent plan to do so in the next two years” said David J. Brady IFMA president and CEO.
“The Alliance has become a focal point for green building practices with the right resources and unparalleled commitment.” I
FMA/Alliance programming and activities will include a number of environmental metrics including the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) programs Energy Star Climate Leaders and others. The Alliance also will take a key role in developing the first dedicated sustainability educational track at IFMA’s annual World Workplace Conference and Expo Oct. 8-10 in San Diego Calif. More than 5000 facility management professionals are expected to attend.
“The impact of the facility management community on the environment is profound. Facility managers are critical to the adoption of more energy and environmental solutions because they are the heart and soul of building operations” said Paul von Paumgartten director of energy and environmental affairs for Johnson Controls and a spokesperson for the Alliance.
“Facility managers collectively impact the decisions made for 4.5 million commercial educational and community buildings comprising more than 60 billion square feet of space. We believe that the best way to achieve high-performance green buildings is to provide them with the resources they need and tap their commitment expertise and experience.”
IFMA is the largest and most widely recognized professional association for facility management supporting more than 18400 members. The Association’s members are represented in 125 chapters 15 councils and one Special Interest Group (SIG) in 54 countries worldwide. Globally IFMA certifies facility managers conducts research provides educational programs recognizes facility management degree and certificate programs and produces World Workplace the largest facility management-related conference and exposition. For more information visit www.ifma.org. The Alliance for Sustainable Built Environments is a group of industry leaders who practice and are recognized for leadership in sustainability; that is economic social and environmental responsibility. It is committed to delivering high performance sustainable solutions for the built environment. For Alliance information visit www.greenerfacilities.org.