Interviews

As the need to manage energy consumption and reduce carbon footprints becomes more pressing concerns globally, ensuring a lasting positive environmental impact has never been more important. Communities are taking decisive action to tackle these challenges, and the Facilities Management (FM) sector is stepping up by embracing energy-efficient solutions and sustainable building practices. By integrating these practices, FM companies are driving the development of smart, sustainable cities while promoting a circular economy.

One such company is Berkeley Services, which is consistently aligning its efforts with the UAE’s ambitious sustainability goals and making meaningful contributions toward a greener, more sustainable future. Established in 1984 and recognised for its commitment to service excellence, innovation, and client-focused solutions, Berkeley Services has played a pivotal role in reshaping the region’s facilities management sector. As part of Klüh Multiservices—a multinational leader with operations across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East—the company combines deep expertise with advanced technology to deliver integrated FM services.

This strong foundation has positioned Berkeley to align closely with the UAE’s ambitious sustainability goals, including its carbon-neutral vision for 2050 and sustainability targets for 2030, further reinforcing its commitment to driving sustainable development in line with the UAE's national agenda. In this context, Berkeley plays a crucial role in supporting national sustainability agendas by integrating smart energy-saving solutions, green building practices, and sustainable maintenance methods into its operations. This approach directly contributes to the UAE’s broader sustainability vision, which includes the development of smart, sustainable cities and fostering a circular economy. As the company continues to evolve, it leverages innovative technologies to enhance efficiency and sustainability while working closely with clients and suppliers to meet local and global environmental goals.

Head of ESG, Nadesh Gandhari, highlights Berkeley Services' unwavering commitment to ESG, outlining the company’s focused approach in aligning its ESG practices with global standards. He emphasizes the importance of integrating ESG into the core of Berkeley's operations, ensuring that each decision made contributes to the broader vision of a sustainable future. Nadesh also discusses the company’s dedication to measuring its ESG impact and driving continuous improvement in its initiatives.

Building on this commitment, CEO Karl-Heinz Otto Mair, in an exclusive interview with REM TIMES, shares insights into how Berkeley will continue to drive innovation and elevate its operations in alignment with the UAE’s sustainability goals.** He further elaborates on the company’s strategic approach to integrating sustainability into every aspect of its business, highlighting the role of cutting-edge technologies and the importance of collaboration with clients and suppliers in advancing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) objectives.

Q. With the UAE's aggressive carbon-neutral goals for 2050 and sustainability targets for 2030, how does Berkeley Services align its business operations to contribute to these national objectives?

Berkeley plays a pivotal role in supporting the UAE’s carbon-neutral vision by optimizing the energy efficiency of the facilities we manage. Through smart building technologies, energy-saving solutions, and sustainable maintenance practices, we help clients reduce their carbon footprint, thereby contributing directly to the UAE’s ambitious sustainability goals. By focusing on sustainable facility operations, we also support the wider goals of minimizing waste, reducing emissions, and fostering a circular economy.

Our efforts align with the Environment Vision 2030, which identifies five priority areas: minimizing the impact of climate change, contributing to clean air and noise pollution control for safer and healthier living conditions, and ensuring the efficient management and conservation of water resources. Through these key focus areas, we play an integral role in advancing the UAE's sustainability goals, helping to foster a green, resilient future in line with the nation's broader environmental and social objectives.

As we also embrace the spirit of the Year of Community, we recognize the importance of fostering stronger societal connections and uplifting the well-being of all communities. Through our commitment to sustainability, we aim to play a role in not only advancing the nation’s environmental goals but also in enriching the lives of the people who call this great country home.

Q. What challenges, according to you, might arise in the process?

Achieving the UAE’s Vision 2030 in sustainability comes with its share of challenges. Integrating advanced green technologies while balancing costs and scalability is one of the significant challenges, as is keeping pace with evolving environmental regulations and standards. Seamless collaboration between the public and private sectors is essential but often complex, while driving cultural shifts toward sustainable behaviours requires continuous engagement and awareness. Additionally, water management remains a pressing issue, demanding innovative conservation solutions to tackle scarcity.

At Berkeley, we identify these challenges and create the opportunity for leveraging innovation, strategic investments, and strong partnerships to drive a more sustainable future. Technologies such as IoT-powered smart building systems, AI-driven predictive maintenance tools, and advanced data analytics optimize facility management and drive sustainability. These tools allow us to monitor energy consumption in real time, identify opportunities for reducing waste, and enhance operational efficiency across all managed properties.

Q. In what ways does Berkeley Services leverage innovation and technology to drive sustainable outcomes in its day-to-day operations and client solutions?

At Berkeley, innovation and technology are at the heart of our strategy to deliver sustainable, efficient, and future-proof solutions. We integrate cutting-edge technologies such as IoT-powered smart building systems, AI-driven predictive maintenance tools, and advanced data analytics to optimize facility management and drive sustainability. Our proprietary digital platforms, including DigiSolutions and Facilio, provide full-spectrum visibility into energy use, resource management, and performance metrics. By leveraging these technologies, we not only streamline day-to-day operations but also provide our clients with actionable insights that empower informed decisions.

Q. As a key player in the UAE’s facilities management sector, how does Berkeley Services collaborate with its clients to integrate sustainable practices into their operations and drive ESG performance?

Berkeley works closely with clients & partners to understand their specific sustainability goals and tailor solutions that align with their broader environmental, social, and governance (ESG) objectives. We offer consultative support to help businesses reduce their environmental impact, streamline energy use, and incorporate green building certifications into their operations. Through data-driven insights and ongoing collaboration, we empower our clients to integrate sustainability into their long-term strategies, ensuring that ESG goals are not only met but exceeded.

Q. What specific ESG strategies has Berkeley Services implemented recently?

A key milestone in this journey is our biofuel transition, where we’ve successfully integrated biodiesel into our staff transport fleet, offsetting an impressive 11,000 kg of CO2 within just six months. This initiative underscores our proactive approach to reducing carbon emissions and advancing the UAE's sustainability goals. In our ongoing waste reduction efforts, we’ve implemented tablet-based cleaning chemicals, effectively eliminating the reliance on single-use plastics. Moreover, our unwavering focus on energy efficiency drives us to invest in state-of-the-art technologies that optimize both energy and water consumption across our operations.

Q. What role does innovation play in ensuring Berkeley Services delivers sustainable and responsible solutions?

Innovation is at the core of Berkeley’s commitment to sustainable and responsible solutions. Through the Klüh Ecosystem—developed by the Center of Digital Excellence (CoDE) team in Germany—we have enhanced operational efficiency with our in-house developed DigiSolutions. One standout innovation is our digital checklist, which has completely replaced traditional paper-based methods in our day-to-day operations. This initiative has significantly enhanced operational efficiency and earned us notable awards, including Best Digital Transformation of the Year at WRC 2024 and Best Innovation Award at BICSc in 2024.

Q. In conclusion, how does Berkeley Services ensure that sustainability is not just a peripheral concern, but a fundamental aspect of its core business strategy, driving both operational decisions and long-term growth?

At Berkeley, sustainability is not just a goal but an integral part of our business strategy. We integrate sustainability into every facet of our operations, from energy efficiency initiatives to waste management and resource optimization. By utilizing advanced technologies and innovative processes, we ensure that sustainability drives both operational excellence and client satisfaction. We continuously align our practices with both global and local sustainability frameworks to remain at the forefront of industry trends.

Berkeley Services UAE Becomes a Participant in the UN Global Compact Initiative, Committing to Sustainable Business Practices and Global Responsibility

Today, Berkeley Services UAE is pleased to announce that we have joined the United Nations Global Compact initiative–a voluntary initiative for the development, implementation, and disclosure of responsible business practices.

With this announcement, Berkeley is proud to join thousands of companies globally committed to taking responsible business action to create the world we all want.

The UN Global Compact is a call to companies everywhere to align their operations and strategies with ten universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment, and anti-corruption, while taking action in support of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Launched in 2000, the UN Global Compact is the largest corporate sustainability initiative in the world, with more than 20,000 companies based in over 160 countries and more than 60 Global Compact Networks.

Karl Heinz Otto Mair, CEO of Berkeley Services UAE, stated:

At Berkeley, sustainability and responsible business practices are central to our values. By joining the UN Global Compact, we reinforce our commitment to ethical conduct, environmental sustainability, and social responsibility. We are focused on integrating sustainability into our business strategy and contributing to a more resilient and equitable future.

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