The increasing race in the carbon markets has unleashed the potential of facility managers to hold the reins and steer corporates towards their sustainability goals.”
Manish Dabkara
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.
When climate goals turned into mandatory regulatory requirements, facility managers have a unique vantage point. They oversee the systems and services within buildings and campuses that, when optimised, can significantly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This places them in a powerful position to identify, support and even invest in carbon credit projects.
Shopping malls and airports to hospitals and railway stations are critical infrastructure. These require a seamless understanding of the systems that regulate energy-intensive or emission-heavy facility operations, such as refrigeration units, HVAC systems, 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 the beginning. To turn it into a certified carbon credit project, it must be documented, validated and registered with recognised standards such as Gold Standard or Verra.
On-ground insights and operational data are essential for establishing baselines, implementing interventions and tracking emission reductions over time. Working alongside sustainability consultants or carbon market experts, FM enable the projects to meet verification criteria, helping translate action into measurable environmental impact.
In many cases, ongoing monitoring of the project is critical to maintaining eligibility and credibility in carbon markets. This requires stewards of long-term sustainability practices beyond implementation.
Facility managers are now getting trained on greenhouse gas accounting standards like ISO 14064 and the Indian methodologies under the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS). This ensures they can actively participate in the project validation and verification process and maintain rigorous documentation for audits.
Moreover, the recent expansion of India’s CCTS to allow voluntary participation has made it easier for facilities that are not regulated emitters to register projects and earn tradable Carbon Credit Certificates (CCCs). Facility managers are navigating registration on the Indian Carbon Market registry, preparing project design documents and coordinating with Accredited Carbon Verification Agencies.
The scope of work also involves initiatives like installing solar rooftops, implementing energy-saving retrofits, or even afforestation projects on company premises – each contributing to tangible emission reductions eligible for credits.
Carbon Credit Buyers
Interestingly, facility managers can also be buyers of carbon credits. Not all emissions can be eliminated, especially those from legacy equipment or critical operations like cooling in data centers or hospitals. In such cases, facility managers can offset unavoidable emissions by purchasing carbon credits, effectively closing the loop and helping their organisation reach net-zero goals.
This is especially relevant in large campuses, tech parks and logistics facilities, where energy use is continuous and intense. Offsetting offers a practical way to bridge the gap between operational necessity and environmental responsibility. This dual role, as both enablers and beneficiaries of carbon markets, makes facility managers pivotal players in the clean transition.
Decarbonization at Ground Levels
As India and the world advance toward net-zero targets, the real changemakers might not always sit in boardrooms. Often, they are walking the floors of our airports, maintaining the cool of our cold chains, or ensuring our commercial hubs run efficiently. With the right awareness and support, facility managers can become powerful climate champions, transforming operational excellence into environmental leadership.
By embracing their potential in both compliance and voluntary markets, facility managers can not only drive climate impact but also deliver financial returns, future-proof their operations and elevate their organization’s reputation in the global sustainability landscape.
