Sustainable facility management: Reviewing recent research findings and creating a research agenda
Exploring how sustainable facility management practices can help reduce energy consumption and support climate goals in commercial and institutional buildings
Konstantinos Karanasios, School of Engineering & Technology
About the project
This research examined emerging trends, challenges and opportunities in sustainable facility management. The project focused on understanding how facility managers can contribute to improved building performance, reduced environmental impacts and more sustainable operations within commercial and institutional buildings.
The challenge
Buildings are among the largest consumers of energy and contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. While sustainable facility management practices offer opportunities to improve environmental performance, organizations often face barriers related to implementation, knowledge, training and organizational change.
Approach
- Conducted a comprehensive review of research and case studies related to sustainable facility management
- Examined sustainability and energy management practices within commercial and institutional buildings
- Explored the perspectives and priorities of facility management professionals
- Identified the competencies and skills required for sustainable facility management
- Developed recommendations to guide future research and professional development
Results
- Synthesized current knowledge and emerging trends in sustainable facility management
- Identified key challenges and opportunities influencing the adoption of sustainable practices
- Highlighted competencies needed to support sustainability-focused facility management
- Generated insights to inform training and professional development initiatives
- Established a research agenda to guide future investigations in the field
Why it matters
- Supports efforts to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions
- Helps organizations improve building performance and sustainability outcomes
- Provides guidance for workforce development and professional training
- Advances understanding of sustainable facility management practices
- Contributes to long-term climate and sustainability objectives within the built environment