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Corps Security has been awarded carbon neutral status after reducing its carbon footprint and offsetting unavoidable carbon.
The UK Green Building Council has today announced a new project to plot a route to net zero carbon for the UK’s built environment sector.
Mitie has been awarded a new climate change score by one of the world’s leading environment, social and governance ratings agencies.
The Estate says it is committed to addressing the environmental emergency by aligning to the 1.5°C goal of the Paris Climate Agreement.
The Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management has partnered with the Social Value Portal and National Social Value Taskforce to develop a new measurement framework.
A new scheme for rating the operational energy efficiency of UK office buildings has been launched.
The plan, published last week and meant to support the UK's net zero carbon target, was broadly welcomed but with some serious reservations.
The UK Green Building Council has published new guidance examining how current barriers to the delivery of net zero carbon buildings can be overcome.
The group has launched a new service which will help social landlords to prepare their housing stock to meet zero carbon obligations.
In fact, The Sustainability Tool, developed by Action Sustainability, has been awarded this year's Innovation prize by the French Chamber of Commerce in Great Britain.
ENGIE and its subsidiary EVBox Group have entered into a four-year partnership with Scania spanning 13 countries.
The family-run cleaning contractor has been recognised for meeting rigorous social and environmental standards.
The Wates Group has committed to each of its business units achieving Living Wage Recognised Service Provider status within five years.
The company says its playbook provides a step-by-step guide to reaching net zero carbon emissions.
The Better Buildings Partnership's framework is designed to support property companies with change and encourage greater transparency on pathways.
The UK Green Building Council has announced a new partnership with Enfield Council, seeking radical solutions for the delivery of sustainability on large schemes.
The Facilities and Construction divisions have taken delivery of the first tranche of Polestar 2 electric vehicles.
Mitie was presented with the ‘Green Fleet of the Year’ award at last week’s Business Car Awards 2020.
The Compass Group’s food procurement business has extended its membership of Social Enterprise UK’s corporate challenge for a further three years.
ENGIE UK has achieved the Carbon Trust Triple Standard, certifying exemplary performance over the last three years in managing carbon, water and waste.
The FM group has launched its 2020 Social Value Report, which includes targets described as “industry-leading” for environmental, social and corporate governance performance.
The rating secures the group's position in the top 1% of assessed companies for the second year in a row.
Mitie has supported Vodafone UK in saving 100 gigawatt hours of energy, equivalent to 25,000 tonnes of CO2, in just three years.
The NHS has adopted a multi-year plan to become the world's first net zero national health system.
Designed to drive progress on ambitious environmental targets, a new three-year contract covers both John Lewis and Waitrose operations.
The property services group has committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions across all JLL-occupied buildings by 2030.
The facilities services business has appointed Jamie Hall as energy and sustainability director for its UK Sustainability division.
Ensuring climate resilience and the transition to net zero carbon, delivering healthy buildings, and creating a fair society are all essential in a post-Covid-19 recovery.
UK fruit producer Bardsley England has selected ENGIE as its long-term delivery partner for achieving carbon-negative produce.
The UK Green Building Council is testing a new strategy for developing solutions to the built environment industry's carbon reduction challenge.
The Lighting Industry Association has added its weight to the call for government action to drive economic recovery while also supporting the commitment to a net zero economy.
The strength of its sustainability credentials has seen the FM group maintain its position in the FTSE4Good Index Series, following a June review.
The National Lottery operator has appointed Bedforshire-based Cawleys as its recycling and waste resource partner.
The UK Green Building Council is canvassing views on a definition of social value for the built environment sector.
A new report from the Sustainable Facilities Management Index has set out how the FM sector can assist in a post-pandemic recovery.
New CBI research suggests that progress on embedding social value in government contracts is being slowed by confusion around definitions and application.
The company has introduced a new Plan Zero Fleet Transition Service with the goal of supporting Britain in getting back to business in the most sustainable way.
The UK's lockdown months have inspired individuals and businesses to think harder about the environment, according new research.
Arcus FM has achieved the CO2e Assessed Organisation Carbon Footprint standard, edging the company along in its journey to becoming a net-zero emissions business.
A new white paper published by the Sustainable Facilities Management Index provides FM organisations with a framework that can help propel them to leading sustainability status.
Fast-tracking green investment and making rapid progress towards net-zero emissions while delivering sustainable jobs must be central to recovery plans, the CBI says.
The UK Green Building Council has charged a new task group with developing a definition of social value for the built environment sector.
SFMI, the Sustainable Facilities Management Index, argues that the FM industry should be a pioneer of sustainability. It will set out its case on 2 July.
Last week's World Environment Day provided the opportunity for the group to reiterate its commitment to work with employees, clients and suppliers for a more resilient and green economic recovery.
To mark last week's World Environment Day, Derwent FM signed up to The Climate Group's initiative on efficient energy.
The annual ISS Green Fingers gardening event for schools has gone digital during the Covid-19 lockdown.
Lockdown has seen pollution levels drop, skies grow clear and roads teeming with bicycles and pedestrians rather than the usual rush hour jams. What does that mean for the overall picture of energy consumption?
"Covid-19 has shown both the fragility and the resilience of society and the ecosystem, and as we enter the recovery period we must take the opportunity to build back better by focusing on a green and just recovery."
KPMG, the advisory group, has joined growing calls on the government and business community to put the green agenda at the heart of economic recovery plans.
As industry looks to rebuild and grow after the lockdown, there is an opportunity for manufacturers to refocus on sustainability goals and work with government to deliver a green recovery.
Emergency road closures, widening of footways and the creation of new pop-up cycleways mean that bikes could be the fastest way of getting around cities like London, Manchester and Birmingham as the UK eases slowly back to work.
The facilities management group has signed up to the RE100 initiative, committing to use only renewable energy across all its sites.
ISS UK & Ireland has published its Corporate Responsibility report for 2019, highlighting achievements in cutting single-use plastic consumables and raising funds to support water and sanitation projects in southern Africa.
The professional services firm has been re-appointed to lead the delivery of the Mayor of London's Retrofit Accelerator for Workplaces.
The UK Green Building Council has published new guidance aiming to de-mystify the practice of measuring the social value of buildings and places.
Businesses can do much more to cut carbon and save costs during the covid-19 lockdown, according to an analysis of 300 buildings.
To mark yesterday's Earth Day the property services group announced a plan to cut carbon emissions by two-thirds.
The UK Green Building Council has published two new implementation packs to support project teams in applying circular economy principles.
Companies globally have been forced to take extreme measures to change the way they operate during the covid-19 outbreak, and this has reduced carbon emissions by a quarter.
The facilities management company has signed up to the EP100 energy productivity commitment.
Sustainable office buildings can deliver financial benefits to investors through a combination of higher rents and stronger leasing velocity.
A new framework aims to advance the social, environmental and economic benefits of responsible business practices across the real estate sector.
Legal & General's property investment division appointed Demand Logic as its carbon reduction partner last year. It's now counting the benefits.
Twenty-five built environment professional bodies have pledged to work together to tackle climate change.
Mitie has launched an industry-leading commitment, pledging that it will reach net zero carbon emissions by 2025.
The UK Green Building Council has launched a catalogue of case studies profiling projects that demonstrate innovative approaches to achieving net zero carbon buildings.
The social housing services specialist has become the second company in our part of the built environment sector to engage an independent scrutiny board.
The international construction and consultancy company has announced that it will achieve net zero carbon emissions this year.
Principle Cleaning Services has declared a new objective: to become the most sustainable cleaning company in the UK.
The services group is removing products containing unrecyclable polystyrene and single-use plastic bags as of 1 February.
The services group has published a white paper focused on the need for wide-ranging action across the public and private sectors to decarbonise energy and heating in the UK's built environment
The energy and services group has reported for the first time on progress made against its Responsible Business Charter, which involves review by an independent scrutiny board.
NHS Chief Sir Simon Stevens has announced plans to step up action that will tackle both climate change and the consequent health impacts.
Almost two-thirds of UK CEOs believe that climate change is a threat to their organisation, with a quarter being extremely concerned about the issue.
New research by Mitie Energy has found that protecting the environment is a target for over a third of UK businesses, who now have or are planning a strategy to reach net zero carbon emissions.
The UK Green Building Council has published new energy performance targets for commercial offices that are aiming to achieve net zero carbon in operation.
The Wates Group has set itself the goal of achieving both targets by 2025.
The catering services group is teaming up with a specialist to monitor the carbon footprint of the food it serves with a view to reducing environmental impacts.
An investors and developers group is inviting major corporate occupiers to collaborate in a new owner-occupier forum on sustainability issues.
Work by the Sustainable Facilities Management Index and support services company ENGIE led to the win at the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply's 2019 Supply Management Awards.
The construction and property services group is claiming the position of first in the sector to support the creation of, and appointment of, an independent social enterprise to help it meet long-term sustainability goals.
PowerPaired aims to link community energy groups and owners of land or property with renewable energy and energy saving potential to deliver social and environmental impact.
The NEC Group's catering business has revealed its best food waste figures to date as it puts an emphasis on sustainability at its venues.
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors has launched its General Election 2019 manifesto, calling on the future government to move past Brexit and to overhaul current domestic policies to build a more sustainable country.
Environmental experts have launched Pledge to Net Zero, the first industry commitment in the UK requiring science-based targets from its signatories to tackle greenhouse gas emissions within their organisations.
Energy and support services specialist ENGIE UK & Ireland has come out on top in the Sustainable Facilities Management Index Awards for the second year.
In line with a commitment to remaking its fleet, the vans join 98 electric cars that are already in operation.
Entry is open for new awards which recognise the positive and transformational contribution that the built environment has on people's lives.
'Climate Change Fundamentals for Facility Management Professionals' is the first report to address this subject as it relates to FM roles and responsibilities, the association says.
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors is calling on built environment professionals to promote and implement the UN's sustainable development goals.
The group is celebrating after winning the Best Waste Prevention Project Award (food) at Footprint's recent waste2zero Awards.
The NHS says it will slash the use of plastic in hospital canteens as part of its drive to reduce waste and make hospitals healthier for patients and staff.
The services group has won the Best Waste Prevention Project (non-food) award at the annual waste2zero Awards.
The UK Green Building Council has launched a consultation exercise seeking feedback on proposals for energy performance targets for the offices sector.
23 of the UK's leading commercial property owners have signed up to tackle the growing risks of climate change through the delivery of net zero carbon real estate portfolios by 2050.
Don't Waste UK, the independent waste minimisation, management and reporting solutions provider, is reporting a string of new clients.
A new report from the World Green Building Council aims to revolutionise the buildings and construction sector, moving it towards a net zero future.
To mark Recycle Week, the facilities services group has revealed that its third annual Zero Waste Challenge smashed the goal that had been set for it.
JLL is laying claim to being the first property consultancy in the UK to sign up to the World Green Building Council's net zero carbon commitment.
The support services, construction and equipment services group has adopted a series of improvements to the way its cleaning business runs, resulting in more than 270,000 plastic bottles per year being saved from landfill.
ISS UK has secured a top award from the Masternaut Fleet CO2 Certification Programme, driving forward its green credentials in fleet management.
The infrastructure, services and consultancy firm spent over £2m across its supply chain on companies that use their profits to create positive social change in communities across the UK and overseas.
The new government team led by Boris Johnson has an unprecedented opportunity to dramatically shift policy on the built environment and deliver higher standards of safety, sustainability and social justice.
In line with growing calls for action in the face of the world's climate emergency, businesses, organisations and, more recently, built environment professionals have been signing up to new policies and practices.
The FM group has signed up to EV100, a global initiative that brings together companies committed to making electric transport the 'new normal' by 2030.
John Norfolk, elected to serve as president of the Building Engineering Services Association for 2019/20, has used his AGM address to call on the industry for action that could make a difference in the face of social, economic and climate challenges.
With the government committing to net zero carbon emissions by 2050, a new survey has found the vast majority of UK companies already committed to tackling the issues.
The multi-services group has teamed up with Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, to support projects working on the transition to clean energy.
A new report argues that though sustainable buildings are becoming more mainstream, there is also a lack of clarity around the costs and benefits of them.
The facilities services group is challenging stakeholders to stop at least 80,000 items becoming waste today, World Environment Day.
More than 120 leading UK businesses, investors and business networks are calling on the UK government to put climate neutrality by 2050 into legislation immediately.
The support services group has announced plans to deploy new technology at 3,000 sites worldwide within the next year.
ISS and Innocent Drinks have teamed up to deliver a week-long gardening event that aims to educate pupils about the benefits of home-grown food, sustainability and trying new things.
Is the message getting through? Perhaps not, as a RICS survey finds nearly half of real estate professionals saying that climate risks are not important or even irrelevant for property investors.
The UK Green Building Council has published a framework for the construction and property industry to transition new and existing buildings to become net zero carbon by 2050, in line with the ambitions of the Paris Climate Agreement.
Cordant Cleaning has been recognised by its client the Go-Ahead Group with the presentation of a Sustainable Supplier Award from the leading transport operator.
The FM company has become the first service provider to collaborate with the FM Supply Chain Sustainability School to offer a free e-learning module aimed at the sustainable use and management of plastics in businesses across the UK.
The UK Green Building Council has published a comprehensive guidance document for clients, aiming to promote the practical application of circular economy principles on construction projects.
Bouygues Energies & Services has worked with Brent Borough Council to transform their street lighting, completing a 12-month investment programme in January.
Sustainability, in recent years a virtual synonym for 'green', is finding its way back to its original broader brush meaning and climbing the corporate agenda at the same time.
David Emanuel reports from the Bouygues Energies & Services 2019 Sustainability Conference.
Here's a bit of good news: the UK Green Building Council reports that its leading members are adopting increasingly ambitious commitments.
The FM professionals group is backing the sustainability agenda and urging the industry to get on-board too.
Two-thirds of UK corporates will be disclosing climate-related risks and opportunities in their 2019 annual reporting, according to new figures released by the Carbon Trust.
Atalian Servest Group's specialist B&I catering division, Angel Hill Food Co, has committed to removing single-use plastics, kick-starting the initiative at two of its largest sites.
Mitie has become the next major facilities management company to announce it will launch an electric fleet, pledging to run at least 20% of its company small van and car fleet using electric vehicles within the next two years.
As a growing number of companies in and around the FM sector vow to cut the use of plastic, the waste action group has set out a roadmap that any business can adopt.
Sustainability targets are a great thing; but how do you get employees to change their behaviour in order to make consistent progress towards the objective?
The facilities services group has unveiled an action plan to reduce its single-use plastic footprint across the UK.
The results of the sixth Sustainable Facilities Management Index were announced yesterday, with ENGIE emerging as the first company to win this accolade twice.
Financial services group Zurich UK has awarded Sodexo gold accreditation for corporate responsibility and sustainability through its new supplier accreditation scheme.
As part of its commitment to prevent unnecessary food waste, Sodexo has launched its own initiative to help reduce the volume of grade B fruit and vegetables being thrown away or left to rot.
The UK Green Building Council has unveiled its new online platform designed to provide an open forum to crowdsource solutions to some of the built environment industry's biggest challenges
The UK Green Building Council has responded to the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report with a call for the built environment disciplines to act now.
The energy and services group has established a new Responsible Business Charter and an independent Scrutiny Board. ENGIE says this underlines its commitment to operate to the highest economic, social and environmental standards.
Sixteen of the UK's largest fleet operators are responding to the issue of poor air quality caused by vans in cities across the country by signing up to this new commitment.
A new partnership is giving offenders an opportunity to develop vital work skills as they recycle television sets from Amey's household waste recycling centres.
The UK Green Building Council has unveiled a new Sustainable Innovation Manual for the built environment industries.
BSI, the business standards company, has revised the original global standard for energy management systems, BS EN ISO 50001: 2018, updating it around changing requirements for cost control, resilience, compliance and sustainability.
EMCOR UK is the first organisation in the country to achieve conformity to ISO 50001:2018 Energy Management, following an independent assessment by business standards company BSI.
The UK Green Building Council has launched a new circular economy programme for the built environment, planned to test the principles on real estate assets and building projects.
Mitie has been awarded the Carbon Trust Standard with a carbon management score of 81%, the best score awarded for a UK FM business.
Supporting its commitment to meeting rigorous waste reduction targets, ENGIE in the UK & Ireland has announced an initiative to remove single-use plastics as part of its Circular Economy strategy.
Catering and services group Elior has published a new policy setting out a wide-ranging plan of action to tackle single-use plastic across all operations.
Sodexo in the UK and Ireland has banned the purchase of all plastic straws and stirrers, and committed to phasing out single-use plastic bags and polystyrene foam cups, lids and food containers by 2020.
Mitie's catering business has banned plastic straws from its 276 sites across the UK and Ireland, marking the latest stage of its campaign to remove single-use plastics across its operations.
The World Green Building Council has launched a new report highlighting the economic benefits of green building and showcasing improved occupant satisfaction when companies implement new health, wellbeing and productivity features in existing green sites.
The real estate services firm has joined in the campaign to help move the built environment industry towards a low carbon and circular economy.
Over 50 business leaders from across the built environment industry have signed an open letter to ministers urging them to introduce policy that will see all new buildings built to net-zero carbon standards by 2030.
The end of March is the closing date for the 2018 Sustainable City Awards, an ideal opportunity for FM teams to gain recognition for their contributions to the wellbeing of both people and the environment.
The environmental consultancy and contract manager has revealed plans for the international expansion of its business.
At the Bouygues Energies & Services annual sustainability conference, held recently, UK Chief Executive David Carr announced the company's ambitious sustainability targets over the coming years.
The catering services provider has taken one of the top honours at the 2018 edie Sustainability Leaders Awards.
The sustainability champion is working on an initiative that will involve collaborative action by businesses, government, NGOs and the media to create a circular economy for plastic products.
The results of the 11the annual BIFM Sustainability Survey shine a light on how the profession is adapting to and tackling the increasing demand for sustainable business.
The 10th annual People & Planet rankings show how higher education has responded to the sustainability challenge, says the student-led group behind the survey.
The UK Green Building Council is calling for all built environment professionals to take responsibility for making positive and transformational change in order to meet sustainability goals.
The European Commission has launched the pilot phase of 'Level(s)', a new EU framework for sustainable buildings. Backers say this will help transform the building sector.
The global facilities services group has been named the top-rated company in its sector on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for the 13th consecutive year.
Bouygues's construction business has signed a worldwide memorandum of understanding with environmental services group SUEZ targeting more sustainable buildings.
The 11th annual Sustainability Survey conducted by the British Institute of Facilities Management is now open.
ENGIE has committed to begin switching to an electric vehicle fleet to improve air quality and help meet its decarbonisation targets for 2020 and beyond.
Albert Einstein is once again having a moment. If you find yourself in a mess, he argued many years ago, continuing to think about things in the same way is unlikely to get you out of that mess. Timely advice.
Sodexo's Green & Lean sustainable meal project was named winner in the Sustainability in Education category at the recent Footprint Awards.
As the US considers withdrawing from the Paris climate agreement, the World Green Building Council is warning that the building sector, responsible for 30% of global emissions, has a steep climb ahead towards achieving key targets.
ISS Facility Services UK has signed up to the Courtauld Commitment 2025, the ambitious 10-year voluntary agreement that aims to make food and drink production and consumption more sustainable.
Almost half of buyers now ask about suppliers' engagement with corporate social responsibility in their procurement documentation, according to new survey findings from the Electrical Contractors' Association and the Considerate Constructors Scheme.
ISO 20400 aims to make an organisation's supply chain integral to its sustainability goals.
A Queen's Award for Enterprise has been presented to Carillion in recognition of its contribution to sustainable development.
The newly revised guide examines green cleaning from a facilities management perspective, providing the tools needed for FM professionals to understand the benefits and make the business case for a green cleaning programme.
The group's system, originally developed for the construction side of the business, is designed to promote sustainability and increase the number of contracts, projects and lifecycle works with zero or next to no adverse impact on the environment.
Kristina Jackson was crowned the 2017 Sustainability/CSR Manager of the Year at last week's edie Sustainability Leaders Awards.
The Green Building Councils of Australia, Canada, Germany, the US and India have announced their intention to introduce schemes that recognise and reward net zero carbon buildings.
The results of the fourth annual Sustainable FM Index were released yesterday, revealing that though real progress is being made among service providers, there are some barriers yet to be crossed.
A survey by office design, fit-out and refurbishment specialist Morgan Lovell has found that 73% of UK office workers believe that a sustainable workplace aids productivity.
A new report from the World Green Building Council draws together lessons and insights from a series of projects worldwide that demonstrate the benefits of going green for owners, occupiers, developers and investors.
Employees who work in certified green buildings have higher cognitive function scores, fewer sick building symptoms and higher sleep quality scores than those working in non-certified buildings.
A standardised approach to sustainability services for corporate property has been launched under the aegis of the Better Buildings Partnership, the property owners, investors and advisors group.
Building owners, developers, managers and investors in the US are increasingly interested in creating healthier buildings, according to new research, with many starting to see the business benefits of doing so.
Sodexo has been named the top-rated company in its sector on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index, adding up to 12 consecutive years of recognition for corporate responsibility.
The BIFM has published the results of its 10th annual sustainability survey. Major findings centre around the shifting environment of facilities management, an evolving language of sustainability and emerging themes of technology and social factors.
The Scottish Government has retained its unique status as the only government in the world to hold the Carbon Trust Triple Standard, and Mitie is citing its supporting role.
At Oltec FM, more than a thousand security personnel have now completed environmental best practice training.
The UK Green Building Council has unveiled plans to push forward a transformation in how working environments are thought about, designed and managed.
In a letter printed in the Financial Times late last week, a long list of organisations representing the construction and property sectors came together to underline their views on the importance of sustainability.
The World Green Building Council has launched an ambitious project that aims to ensure all buildings are 'net zero' by 2050.
The group's energy management division has become one of 16 suppliers on the RE:FIT scheme, the national retrofitting programme aimed at reducing energy bills in the public sector.
Australia's highly successful energy-use-in-buildings programme is to be piloted for application in the UK.
The real estate services company has reduced energy use across its UK estate by 38%, more than tripling the 10% target the group had set itself.
Businesses looking to support local charities and community groups must see past simple cash donations or unskilled volunteering to forge relationships that create a 'Partnership of Equals'.
In its annual Sustainability Report, the construction to services group provides hard evidence of how its sustainability strategy delivers a competitive edge, helping to win contracts and contribute to profit.
Over 40 companies took part in the latest Business in the Community CR Index cycle, and the top performers include a strong representation from the wider facilities sector.
Interserve and Wates are amongst the major companies backing a campaign to see more goods and services procured from the UK's social enterprise sector. The initiative marks the start of Responsible Business Week.
The Institute has launched its 10th annual survey, looking at the way that facilities management professionals and the businesses they work for are engaging with the sustainability agenda.
The independent caterer has received Two Stars in its first Food Made Good Rating by the Sustainable Restaurant Association.
Vinci Facilities has become the first company in the sector to sign on with the social value campaigning and training group.
New research ranking 25 locations around the world on a range of criteria shows the UK, France, Germany and the Netherlands as the global leaders in green building.
A new report aims to show how facilities management service providers can create social value through their corporate social responsibility agendas.
The world's largest collaborative project on building renovation has been officially launched by Green Building Councils across Europe in a bid to tackle one of the region's biggest climate challenges: existing buildings.
Soil Association Certification is partnering with the Carbon Trust to develop a bespoke sustainable catering standard to complement the well-established Food for Life Catering Mark.
The global service provider has reinforced its position as one of the most sustainable companies in the world by earning awards in all three of the categories in the Sustainability Yearbook 2016.
Retailers can improve the shopping experience for their customers and potentially increase their profits by providing greener, healthier stores, according to a new report from the World Green Building Council.
According to the World Green Building Council, here in Europe we may get a new, updated and broader based definition, thanks to the European Commission.
The catering business has secured the maximum possible Three Star Sustainability Champion rating from the Sustainable Restaurant Association.
WRAP reports good progress against the targets of the Hospitality and Food Service Agreement, which is designed to tackle waste and sustainability challenges within the sector.
Property management company Ravensale has appointed Helistrat to manage waste and recycling services for its Wembley Commercial Centre.
Sixteen leading built environment companies have signed up to a new energy efficiency commitment targeting delivery of 'nearly zero energy buildings'.
The specialist energy management and sustainable business consultancy Acclaro Advisory has published its third annual Sustainable FM Index. Vinci Facilities has been named best performer.
The service provider has emerged as the top-rated company in its sector on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for the 11th consecutive year.
EMCOR UK took a leading position on sustainable procurement in 2013 with its certification under BS 8903. Now, having been re-assessed, it has achieved 'Expert' status.
In a recently launched white paper on the issues involved in achieving carbon targets the building services group sets out the challenge of making progress in a confusing policy climate.
Food miles, a concept that scarcely existed even just a few years ago, has become a key concern as corporate social responsibility climbs the boardroom agendas of many organisations.
Plans to introduce zero carbon homes in 2016 and zero carbon non-domestic buildings in 2019 have been dropped by the government.
A new report calls for action in this Parliament on the key policy priorities that will allow the UK to meet its carbon targets on time, on budget and in way that will be beneficial to the UK economy.
Investing in sustainable features increases the market value of shopping centres by up to 5% or even more, according to new research.
Ten of the UK's leading property managers have joined forces to influence and improve the sustainable management of UK commercial property.
Businesses are finding it increasingly difficult to implement and manage sustainability policies, according to research by the British Institute of Facilities Management.
Property advisor JLL has identified a series of sustainability trends that will impact on real estate over the next 15-20 years. It is calling on businesses to adapt now to stay competitive.
Carillion has published its 2014 Annual Sustainability Report, which shows that its sustainability activities through the year made a major contribution to profits.
The Sodexo Group has announced plans to reduce the impact of its operations on the environment by cutting carbon emissions by a third by 2020.
Money talks, and in the case of institutional financial backing the talk is all about responsible investment focused on environmental, social and governance factors.
Sodexo, in partnership with its client Central Manchester NHS Foundation Trust, has won the Waste Management Award at the NHS Sustainability Awards.
The construction to FM group has completed the re-building of its Bentley Works site in Doncaster, using in-house expertise to achieve near-zero impact on the environment.
It is Responsible Business Week and Sodexo has marked the occasion with the release of its 2015 Corporate Responsibility Report.
Non-domestic buildings in the UK are responsible for about a fifth of the country's total carbon emissions, writes Peter Tse, Senior Design Consultant, Sustainable Construction Group at BSRIA.
The World Green Building Council has launched a global campaign on health, wellbeing and productivity in a range of building types.
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors has published a new research report and an online tool designed to help built environment professionals understand climate change risk and plan to reduce detrimental impacts.
Taking inspiration from Marks and Spencer, the property services group has launched its own sustainability campaign.
With resource efficiency, sustainability and the circular economy helping to put the spotlight on how companies manage their waste, FM service providers have the opportunity to get involved and take a lead.
The evidence is loud and clear, says CBRE. Owners and developers need to improve and adapt their commercial properties in line with the sustainability agenda.
If you were to take all the latest technological innovation in energy efficiency and apply it to one space, what would that facility look like?
A BREEAM assessment package specifically for international refurbishment and fit-out projects has been unveiled, along with a month-long consultation period.
The UK Green Building Council has launched a new project aiming to help measure the health, wellbeing and productivity benefits of sustainable retail property.
BIFM has launched its annual sustainability survey looking at the way that FM professionals are engaging with the sustainability agenda.
Recycling isn't just 'the right thing to do'. It can offer both quick wins and long-term gains: reducing costs and bringing benefits that impact staff, stakeholders and the environment.
There are only a few weeks to go until the 2015 Awards for Excellence in Recycling and Waste Management close for entries.
The Supply Chain Sustainability School, well established in the construction sector, will launch its dedicated offer for FM and the services sector next week.
The telecoms group has recognised the ISS commitment to sustainability by presenting its support services partner with the Award for Outstanding Delivery of Telefónica UK’s Sustainability Objectives 2014.
New guidance on the principles, importance and opportunities of the resource efficiency of building services has been launched.
The second annual Sustainable FM Index has found many companies performing well and discerned a clear maturity path for continued progress. But it has also identified inconsistency in defining successful performance, as well as growing short-termism.
George Adams, UK Engineering Director at Spie, has been appointed Chair of the Construction Industry Council Green Construction Panel.
UK property investors and fund managers no longer view sustainability as simply a 'nice to have'. Demonstrable performance is moving towards a requirement for these market shapers.
The pubs group has taken a top sustainability award at the recent Chartered Institution of Wastes Management's UK Sustainability & Resource Industry Awards 2014.
Following the release of the latest report by the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, highlighting the need to reduce carbon, BSRIA has compiled some useful tips on how to do just that.
Reducing waste and moving towards a circular economy are real challenges and require engagement and action from a range of different parties, including client organisations, facilities managers, service providers and waste management firms.
The latest in the BREEAM family of sustainability rating schemes has been unveiled, focusing specifically on refurbishment and fit-out projects.
Ground has been broken on the site of the Green Build Hub, designed to be both test-bed for and centre of knowledge about sustainable building products and techniques.
UK shopping centres are competing for more than just sales figures. Research shows that solar panels, LED lighting, electric vehicle charge points and new technology that harvests 'people power' are at the top of centre managers' wish-lists for 2015.
A new measure of sustainability performance for commercial buildings has been developed, designed to evaluate occupied sites on the three key sustainability criteria: economic, environmental and social.
A new report from the World Green Building Council sets out the 'overwhelming evidence' that office design significantly impacts the health, wellbeing and productivity of staff.
The property services group is marking World Green Building Week by offering advice on some steps that will make offices and industrial buildings more sustainable.
David Picton, Chief Sustainability Officer at Carillion, has been appointed a commissioner on the newly launched Industry and Parliament Trust Sustainability Commission.
While it is obligatory for UK quoted companies to report greenhouse gas emissions, it is becoming increasingly essential for all businesses, big or small, to highlight their environmental credentials by measuring and reducing their carbon footprint.
London Mayor Boris Johnson has confirmed a further investment of almost £12m to expand the programme to retrofit buildings across the capital, making them more energy efficient and reducing carbon emissions.
A survey of 2500 companies in 34 economies finds that businesses are being driven towards more socially and environmentally sustainable practices not simply by brand building or altruism, but because it makes good financial sense.
Research from construction services company Sweett and the building research group BRE uses real data to argue that sustainable buildings are not necessarily any more costly to construct than traditional buildings.
New research from consultants McKinsey finds that sustainability is playing an increasing role in corporate strategy, with one big driver being a focus on reputation.
Working in partnership with Skanska, Barts Health NHS Trust has become the first Trust in the UK to be awarded the Carbon Trust standard for waste.
The sustainability training group, widely backed by the construction industry, is to launch new resources for the FM industry in January.
With resources under continual pressure, performance being questioned in some quarters and the future looking unclear at best, there’s a lot to be said for the NHS wholeheartedly embracing a sustainability agenda.
With sustainability issues gaining increased attention from investors, regulators, activists and the media, the c-suite is taking notice.
ISS Facility Services has signed on as a Founder Member of the new 'Simply Cups' paper cup recycling scheme.
UK businesses are missing out on a range of benefits by operating on the border of compliancy when it comes to sustainable business practice, according to the annual sustainability survey from the BIFM.
ISS Facility Services is to work with its client, the professional services firm PwC, to collect and re-use waste cooking oil as a carbon-friendly energy source.
The European Commission has adopted new proposals designed to raise the sustainability of new and renovated buildings by increasing resource efficiency and improving information on the environmental performance of buildings.
Registration for the Sustainable FM Index 2014 is now open to all organisations delivering FM services, whether in-house or as external service providers.
Government policy designed to reduce carbon emissions from commercial buildings needs to be better understood, more efficiently monitored and easier to enforce, according to a new report.
Companies actively seeking to improve sustainability performance need to ensure their corporate real estate team is aligned with, and able to deliver, their priority sustainability objectives.
Corporate real estate group CoreNet Global has joined forces with consultants Arup to produce a detailed analysis and comparison of the major sustainability programmes in use around the world.
ISS Facility Services UK won the Corporate Social Responsibility Team award at the Business Charity Awards, held last week.
Increasing the numbers of UK employees working from home could cut costs by £3bn a year for UK employers and employees and save over 3m tonnes of carbon, according to a new report from the Carbon Trust.
What is sustainable purchasing, and how can organisations use it to improve their environmental credentials?
The UK's first low-carbon commercial building has landed a new Carbon Trust award and pioneered a path for others to follow.
ISS UK has been singled out as a 3-Star company and the highest performing facilities management company in Business in the Community's latest Corporate Responsibility Index.
Landmarc Support Services, the Interserve-backed sustainable infrastructure group, has published a white paper calling for specialised training and support to foster increased focus on social value within both the client and contractor communities.
The UK's first publicly available database for embodied carbon in buildings has been launched by resource efficiency experts WRAP in collaboration with the UK Green Building Council.
The British Institute of Facilities Management has launched its annual survey to investigate how FM professionals are engaging with the sustainability agenda.
The real estate advisor has been appointed by the British Council of Shopping Centres to analyse the economic impact of sustainability measures on the value of shopping centres in the UK.
A major global project that will help to define the health and productivity benefits of green office buildings has been launched by the World Green Building Council.
Sodexo has been ranked the best-performing company in its sector for social, environmental and economic performance for the seventh consecutive year.
A new annual Sustainable FM Index report has been published, addressing how sustainability is embedded within facilities management service companies.
A new report released by the Green Building Council of Australia aims to spark a conversation about how high-performance green schools can deliver high-performance students.
The British Institute of Facilities Management has published another in its series of Good Practice Guides, this time focusing on recycling and waste management.
September 16 to 20 is due to see Green Building Councils in 98 countries hosting events, running campaigns and celebrating under the theme 'greener buildings, better places, healthier people'.
The Chartered Institute of Wastes Management has gone public with concerns about the draft Waste Prevention Plan published recently by Defra.
Commercial property owners group, the Better Buildings Partnership, has reviewed and revised its guidance on the use of green leases.
Marsh, the international insurance group, is warning the backers of big construction and infrastructure projects about the danger of not adequately considering the impact of climate change when making long-term decisions.
Efficient lighting tops the list of green technology investments in a new survey from the Carbon Trust.
The findings of the latest annual Sustainability in Facilities Management survey show overwhelming support for embedding the concept in business operations, but problems around implementation.
Most British businesses dispose of their old computer equipment without recycling, according to a leading waste management company.
Not Just Cleaning, the cleaning and support services company, has achieved the Planet Mark as evidence of its commitment to sustainability performance.
A major independent study is now underway into whether the government's energy and carbon policies are having the desired effect on the commercial property sector.
The new Green Retrofit Investment Programme has up to £100m available for investment in building retrofit projects and energy infrastructure projects where clear energy and carbon emissions savings will result.
BT has unveiled a new carbon abatement methodology, offering to share its approach with other big corporates.
Jones Lang LaSalle and the Better Buildings Partnership are to work together to provide owners and occupiers with a single benchmarking system for comparing the environmental performance of commercial property assets.
EMCOR Group has added BS 8903 sustainable procurement accreditation to its list of credentials
Mandatory reporting of greenhouse gas emissions is just around the corner for listed companies. The time to prepare is now, says KPMG.
Glasgow's Cordia support services business is one of nine companies piloting a new 'recycle and reward' scheme from Zero Waste Scotland.
The construction to services group pulled out the stops for the launch of its latest annual sustainability report, featuring a keynote address by Minister of State for Energy and Climate Change Greg Barker.
The property services firm has published a guide for occupiers, investors and developers providing an overview of sustainability practices in real estate across the EU.
Facilities managers are under pressure to re-open offices safely, but the stakes could not be higher. So how can technology help?
This year will witness the start of the glorious clean, lean years of recycling as any business that wants to embrace the green agenda in a meaningful way will have to re-examine how they manage their waste resources.
The compliance period for Phase 2 of the Energy Savings Opportunities Scheme is currently underway, with less than nine months until the deadline. Stuart Denton-Brown discusses how businesses can act now to make the process smoother.
Active Workplace Solutions invited a select group of FM experts to discuss the critical components of sustainability and why the industry’s current challenges call for a reappraisal of what that word means. i-FM reports.
Sienna Emanuel explores the real meaning of social value and what it means for FMs and their service providers.
A few years ago, the term ‘sustainability’ was fairly interchangeable with words such as ‘environmentally-friendly’ and ‘green’, in recognition of those first steps businesses were making to address some of the ecological challenges the planet was facing.
Caroline Hutchins outlines what best practice should look like when it comes to implementing green measures.
With two-thirds of UK consumers recently stating they would boycott brands that lack an ethical conscience, sustainability is an increasingly important issue for facilities managers with CSR targets to meet.
Cities could be humanity's biggest challenge or our best opportunity; regardless, we are experiencing rapid expansion of urban populations. And the buildings that exist within these areas are guzzling up the world's finite resources.
Ahead of The Facilities Event this April, i-FM talks to sustainable architectural and interior design guru Oliver Heath about biophilic design, separating the fact from the fiction about this deep connection between humans and nature.
Amanda Williams reports on energy management initiatives introduced on the Defence National Training Estate.
It's time for action and the tools we need are already available. Andy Badger makes the case for moving away from 'business as usual'.
Steve Lee reports that waste management is climbing rapidly up the legal and business agendas. There's an opportunity here for facilities management to take a lead on strategy and implementation.
Facilities managers are ideally placed to drive innovation and profitability. Identifying and exploiting the hidden value in surplus resources can lead to significant savings and unique promotional opportunities.
Many service providers already appreciate the positive impact that sustainable actions can have on carbon footprint, but realising this is an issue is only half the battle.
Now that the economy has returned to growth, sustainability is making its way back to the top of the corporate agenda and businesses are reassessing their green options, says Bruce Goldring.
There are compelling business benefits for the FM sector in engaging with the waste and resource efficiency agenda.
The CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme was originally designed to provide incentives for companies to improve energy efficiency by directly rewarding energy savings.
The catering industry needs to feed its next generation with knowledge, argues Mike Mellor.
Research into carbon reduction needs and strategies at UK universities has produced insights that apply to all large organisations.
Britain's schools, much like the economy in general, are currently in a tough financial position.
Frank Logan looks at some of the new drivers that will change business-as-usual forever.
Over the past few years, we have seen an increasing trend for client companies to look to food to lead the sustainably message in the workplace.
The British Library has implemented new recycling and waste reduction strategies, increasing recycling to 70% and reducing waste by 18%.
Given that a massive 40% of worldwide CO2 emissions come from buildings, property and facilities managers have a unique opportunity to make a real difference.
Despite an ever-increasing number of 'green' campaigns, and the associated greenwash, innovation is the key to true long-term sustainability.
Facilities managers should be shifting their emphasis towards a more long-term environmental focus.
Facilities managers are in the driving seat when it comes to achieving substantial reductions in carbon emissions.
The previous government's failure to enforce its own environmental legislation was hugely damaging to the energy performance of buildings, says HVCA President Graham Manly.
With continued emphasis at UK and EU levels on going green, it won't be long before commercial Energy Performance Certificates are given some teeth.
The Environment Agency has started writing to organisations who may qualify under the Carbon Reduction Commitment rules.
The Carbon Reduction Commitment is looming on the horizon. Implementation will be complex, and there's mixed news on preparation at many that will be affected.
Reducing carbon emissions is moving up the agenda. This can mean significant operational savings, too.
FM has a critical role to play in meeting the goals of the sustainability agenda.
Ian Osborne makes a case for the neglected area of water conservation, looking at the incentives and also the strategies and technologies that can slash costs and boost environmental credentials for businesses.
Global giants Google and WWF turned heads this June after announcing the details of their environmental data platform, a joint initiative which aims to tackle harmful emissions and waste across fashion industry supply chains.
As we continue to emerge from lockdown and ease back into our ‘normal’ routines, we should take a moment to reflect on the past few months. I’m sure I’m not alone in feeling like everything since April has been a bit of a blur.
If organisations were to remove their commitments to recycling from annual reports, would they risk an adverse judgement? And how does this reflect on the role of waste management?
The concept of social value, and the notion that businesses should be striving to improve economic prosperity, is not a new thing. As a marketing professional, I have been developing these themes for some time now.
Sunil Shah looks at the current practice of responsible business in the built environment and explains the collaborative approach that RICS is taking to create the new model necessary to transfer knowledge of sustainability through the property lifecycle.
As human consumption nears a pivotal moment, George Adams explains why the built environment has a huge part to play in the fight against social and ecological disaster.
Nowadays sustainability is an ingrained business practice and nearly every organisation has green policies in place to reduce its impact on the environment.
Mike Hobbs says there is more to creating a sustainable future for the NHS than just saving the planet. There is a compelling business case, too.
Although sustainability has always been an important issue for many of the world's most progressive companies, we are now seeing it rise to the top of most agendas.
Making sustainability a key feature at every level of the supply chain is probably easier than you think, and is a definite win-win.
The increasingly urgent need to address major environmental issues on a global scale means developments are coming so thick and fast, if you blink you’re likely to miss something important.
Canadian ice hockey player Wayne Gretzky, when asked why he was so good, replied: "A good hockey player plays where the puck is. A great hockey player plays where it's going to be."