FM Playing Big Role in Reducing Emissions, Says Research

The study was done by software company Mobilityways on UK organisations

A study by software company Mobilityways analysed facilities managers working for large UK companies employing more than 500 staff, and found that 74 per cent of their firms had already started reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions linked to employees’ commutes to and from their workplaces.

It further said that 71 per cent of facilities managers were collecting data on the modes of transport which employees use in their commutes to work, and over half (53 per cent) already know the average distance each employee commutes in a typical working week. A further 9 per cent plan to start collecting this sort of data before the end of this year.

The same study found that facilities managers were highly active in the race to make both working practices and workplaces themselves more sustainable. For example, more than half (52 per cent) of them confirmed that they already see primary data on emissions generated by business travel. Nearly half, 45 per cent, see emissions data linked to waste generated in the operation of their firm; 43 per cent have sight of primary emissions data associated with purchased goods and services, and the same percentage could view emissions data associated with upstream transportation and distribution.

Of the facilities managers that had already started sustainability-driven initiatives to reduce emissions across their workplaces, 48 per cent had already put in Electric Vehicle charging stations on company premises; 44 per cent had offered financial incentives to use lower emissions alternatives to get into work; and just under 40 per cent had led on advocating higher Work From Home (WFH) ratios in post-pandemic hybrid working arrangements. Around 44 per cent had brought in an outside data/service provider to help them gather employee travel emissions data and help stimulate staff to explore greener travel alternatives.

Julie Furnell, managing director of Mobilityways, said, “Facilities managers have been right at the forefront of seismic changes in working practices and behaviours during and immediately post-pandemic. Many have been involved in the right-sizing and re-designing of workplaces to fit the new hybrid-dominated work patterns.” She added, “They have led the reinvention of workplaces to ensure office buildings are smarter, more energy efficient and higher performing; whilst simultaneously making sure the experience they offer staff and visitors is both more comfortable and healthier – promoting higher productivity by doing so. Naturally, they have had to lead on application of new building management systems and other proptech solutions to help optimise the use of these new workplaces. Their work has extended from enabling smart and sustainable buildings, to ensuring staff can explore and select less carbon-intensive ways of travelling into those offices.”