Visitors to the i-FM web site clearly think green issues will be important in their work over the coming years. But the margin is not as totally overwhelming as one might expect, given the resurgence of interest in the environment.

In our latest Straw Poll we asked if you agreed with the statement, "The environmental impact of facilities location and operations will become a key issue over the next 2 to 5 years." Almost 65% of respondents agreed, just over 35% disagreed.

The falling real cost of energy has probably ensured that the environment is not at the top of everyone’s agenda. However, the rising costs and regulation of waste disposal, the growing consensus that traffic congestion and transport failings must be tackled and the pressure for environmental audits should push it back up.

Richard Byatt

To vote in the current Straw Poll on the future of FM contracting click here.