Page 54 - CIJ April 2024 - Digital Edition

FACILITY MANAGEMENT

FACILITY MANAGERS PLAY A CRITICAL
ROLE IN REDUCING THE CARBON
FOOTPRINT OF THEIR ORGANIZATIONS.
BY IMPLEMENTING SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES
AND TECHNOLOGIES AND TAKING A PROACTIVE
APPROACH TO SUSTAINABILITY, FACILITY
MANAGERS CAN HELP THEIR ORGANIZATIONS
CREATE A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE AND
CONTRIBUTE TO THE FIGHT AGAINST CLIMATE
CHANGE.

Jai Ganesh Nanjan

Sustainability, focuses on FMs need to opt for products and
healthier the role of facility managers in materials in line with sustainability
and more driving net zero through sustainable principles like energy-efficient
productive work procurement. Sustainable procurement appliances, eco-friendly cleaning
environment. entails conscientiously integrating supplies, recycled building materials
In multi-location office environments, environmental, social, and ethical and low-impact furnishings. Such
considerations into purchasing
choices mitigate resource depletion,
Nanjan recommends that facility processes. “It favours suppliers and minimize waste accumulation,
managers develop a comprehensive, products that minimize environmental and alleviate carbon emissions
goal-oriented sustainability plan like degradation, uphold social throughout the facility’s lifecycle,
replacing use of paper and plastic with responsibility, and adhere to ethical he said. By scrutinizing raw material
ceramic and glass. standards. Carbon footprint reduction extraction, manufacturing processes,
Conducting regular energy audits, stands as a crucial facet of sustainable transportation, usage, and disposal,
installing energy efficient lighting, procurement, along with resource they make informed decisions favoring
using renewable energy sources like conservation, ethical labor practices, products with minimal carbon
solar and wind power, upgrading and support for local economies.” footprints.
HVAC systems to energy-efficient Facility managers need to Sustainable procurement demands
models and working with suppliers meticulously vet suppliers who perpetual refinement and innovation,
to reduce their environmental impact prioritize sustainability, he opines. says Mohan. Facility managers need
are other measures to reduce carbon They need to rigorously assess the to proactively seek novel technologies,
footprint in such offices, he suggests. vendors’ environmental practices, materials, and practices offering
Immanuel Mohan, Founder of Ark of utilization of renewable resources, heightened sustainability benefits.
adoption of energy-efficient Embracing renewable energy solutions,
manufacturing, and waste management waste reduction initiatives, circular
protocols. Partnering with sustainable economy models, and collaborating
suppliers mitigates the carbon with suppliers for eco-friendly products
footprint of the supply chain drive innovation, propelling the facility
while endorsing businesses management industry towards a net-
committed to sustainability. zero future.

TASKED WITH SOURCING DIVERSE
GOODS AND SERVICES, FACILITY
MANAGERS HOLD THE REINS TO STEER
ORGANIZATIONS TOWARDS ENVIRONMENTAL
SUSTAINABILITY. LEVERAGING THEIR
PROCUREMENT DECISIONS, FACILITY MANAGERS
CAN SIGNIFICANTLY DIMINISH CARBON
EMISSIONS AND ADVANCE THE ORGANIZATION’S
NET-ZERO ASPIRATIONS.

Immanuel Mohan CIJ

APRIL 2024•Clean India Journal
54 www.cleanindiajournal.com