Page 48 - CIJ May 2025- Digital Edition

FM SUSTAINABILITY

Facility Managers:

Enablers & Beneficiaries of

Carbon Markets

Facility managers are now at the forefront of a new frontier -- carbon credit management.
Manish Dabkara, Chairman & MD, EKI Energy Services Ltd (EKI) shares insights on this transitioning role of
FM, further strengthening this fast-expanding role in any facility.

hen climate goals turned the beginning. To turn it into a credibility in carbon markets. This
into mandatory regulatory certified carbon credit project, it requires stewards of long-term
requirements, facility must be documented, validated sustainability practices beyond
managers have a unique and registered with recognised implementation.
Wvantage point. They standards such as Gold Standard or Facility managers are now
oversee the systems and services Verra.
within buildings and campuses that, getting trained on greenhouse
when optimised, can significantly On-ground insights and gas accounting standards like
reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) operational data are essential ISO 14064 and the Indian
emissions. This places them in for establishing baselines, methodologies under the Carbon
a powerful position to identify, implementing interventions and Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS).
support and even invest in carbon tracking emission reductions This ensures they can actively
credit projects. over time. Working alongside participate in the project validation
Shopping malls and airports sustainability consultants or and verification process and
maintain rigorous documentation
carbon market experts, FM enable
to hospitals and railway stations the projects to meet verification for audits.
are critical infrastructure. These criteria, helping translate action into
require a seamless understanding measurable environmental impact. Moreover, the recent expansion
of the systems that regulate of India’s CCTS to allow
energy-intensive or emission- In many cases, ongoing voluntary participation has made
heavy facility operations, such as monitoring of the project is critical it easier for facilities that are not
refrigeration units, HVAC systems, to maintaining eligibility and regulated emitters to register
lighting or waste handling. This
knowledge equips FM to recognise
opportunities for emission reduction.

The refrigeration systems, for
example, that leak harmful gases
like HFCs could be replaced
or retrofitted with eco-friendly
alternatives – actions that can be
quantified, verified and translated
into carbon credits. Facility
managers are often the first to spot
such gaps and lead the operational
changes needed to capture these
environmental benefits.

Carbon Credit
Registration
Identifying a potential
carbon-saving measure is just

48 MAY 2025•Clean India Journal•www.cleanindiajournal.com