Homes, schools and hospitals across England are set to be greener and cheaper to run thanks to a £3 billion plan to upgrade the nation’s buildings, a move which ministers are dubbing the biggest in a generation.
As we settle into the ‘new normal’ and look ahead to the future, much has been made of the need to ‘build back better’: taking action towards more ethical businesses and a fairer, equitable, more inclusive and sustainable society in partnership with Inenco found that an increased number of FM professionals see sustainability as ‘extremely important’ to the organisation compared to 2018. These professionals are uniquely placed to make a difference to the sustainability agenda because they are the glue in organisations, marrying the needs of owners, occupiers and the supply chain to create energy efficient, productive and pleasant workplaces. Workplace and facilities managers are already on the frontline of reducing carbon emissions from the built environment. This includes making more effective decisions regarding heating and air conditioning, lighting and building insulation. With more than a third of CO2 emissions linked to our homes and workplaces, simple actions such as turning off lights when you leave a room and recycling where possible are as of much importance at work as they are at home. However, as increased demand for flexible working begins to shift the role of the traditional office space, it’s important that organisations recognise sustainable and ethically run workplaces extend far beyond just the built environment. Employees increasingly expect their employers to set an example in sustainable living, embedding sustainability goals into the
heart of any organisation. Workplace and facilities managers play a critical role in establishing these strategies and creating positive environments that will attract and retain the strongest talent. Encouraging behaviour change It’s also important to note that the sustainability agenda goes beyond just environmental challenges to include economic and social impact. Applying the full sustainability agenda ensures a full, holistic impact of the workplace. The IWFM Sustainability Survey 2020 revealed there has been a huge rise in the perceived importance of social value (articulating the value of sustainability impacts in economic, social and environmental areas, particularly locally) and wellbeing in recent years, with areas such as equality and diversity and training forming a key part of organisations’ sustainability strategies. We’ve already begun to see more businesses establish initiatives that encourage behaviour change; from food and nutrition advice to mindfulness and volunteering. The rising number of employees working remotely has arguably accelerated the importance of such activities as organisations realise responsibility for
Facilities management
£2 billion Green Homes Grant
The From 30 September, homeowners can sign up for savings on upgrades to their homes under the government’s £2 billion Green Homes Grant, with an additional £1 billion announced to improve the energy efficiency of publicly owned buildings. The grant scheme will see the government fund up to two-thirds of the cost of home improvements up to £5,000. Those homeowners with low-incomes, including those on certain benefits, are eligible for a grant covering up to 100 per cent of the cost of works up to £10,000. The scheme will improve the energy efficiency of over 600,000 homes. The government hopes that the investment will cut people’s energy bills and carbon emissions, whilst also supporting over 100,000 jobs in green construction for local plumbers, builders and tradespeople across the UK. £500 million of the of the Green Homes Grant scheme has been assigned for local authorities to provide green home improvements for households with an income of under £30,000.
employee well-being does not stop at the office door. Indeed, our recent survey revealed that over two-thirds of respondents believe their sustainability policies and targets will change as a result of the pandemic – with increased emphasis placed on areas such as remote working, travel, well-being and video conferencing facilities. As we move towards the future and begin to lay plans for the future structure of our workplaces, it is critical that organisations take sustainability and social values seriously, if they are to attract and retain the best talent. Workplace and facilities managers are representatives for change and hold the key to driving forward ways in which office spaces can continue to adapt, with the aim of becoming more productive and sustainable in a post-Covid world. Organisations that fail to recognise the role sustainability plays in the workplace, risk long-term reputational damage – and decision makers must consider it as a core working practice and policy if they are to thrive in a post-pandemic world. L FURTHER INFORMATION www.iwfm.org.uk
Issue 27.5 | GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE
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