Sustainability in facility management: a practical way to reduce environmental impact
Sustainability is no longer a "nice-to-have", but a business necessity. Facility management in particular - an area with a major impact on energy consumption, resources and the building stock - offers numerous opportunities to systematically reduce the environmental impact. But how can this be achieved strategically and pragmatically at the same time? The following seven guiding principles show how sustainability can be implemented effectively and future-proof in facility management.
a) Connect the dots - Promote holistic thinking
Sustainability requires networked thinking. In facility management, this means integrating ecological, social and economic aspects across all processes. For example, modern facility management combines energy management, waste prevention and employee training into an overall concept. Synergies arise when technical, infrastructural and commercial FM areas work in a coordinated manner towards environmental goals [GEFMA, 2022].
Example: The use of building automation systems to intelligently control heating, ventilation and lighting can significantly reduce energy consumption - especially if these systems are combined with employee training on sustainable behavior.
b) Develop your path - sustainability strategy with identity
There is no "one-size-fits-all" solution. Every facility management company must find its own individual sustainability path - based on its own structure, the properties it manages and the customer landscape. It is important that sustainability is not seen as an add-on, but as an integral part of the corporate strategy [BMUV, 2025].
Practical approach: Develop a company-specific sustainability roadmap with clear goals, key performance indicators (KPIs) and a catalog of measures that is regularly reviewed and further developed.
c) Be resilient - resilience through sustainable action
Climate change brings with it new risks for buildings and infrastructure: heat waves, heavy rainfall, changes in materials. A resilient FM company takes these risks into account and equips its services accordingly. Sustainability is an instrument for minimizing risks and safeguarding the future
Example: Green roofs or façades can reduce the building temperature and at the same time retain rainwater - an effective protection against overheating and flooding.
d) Involve your stakeholders - collaborative sustainability
Successful sustainability in FM depends on collaboration: with clients, suppliers, employees and users. A participatory approach ensures better acceptance, more innovative strength and viable solutions.
Measure: Hold regular stakeholder workshops to identify needs, ideas and criticism at an early stage and develop measures together. Integrate ESG criteria (environmental, social, governance) into your tenders and contracts.
e) Embrace sustainability trends - stay innovative
From the circular economy to CO₂ reporting and digital sustainability management - the FM industry is changing rapidly. Those who recognize and implement new developments at an early stage remain competitive and make an active contribution to environmental protection [Deloitte, 2023].
Trend example: The use of IoT sensor technology for real-time monitoring of energy, water and air quality enables precise optimization of operations and reduces waste of resources.
f) Make it easy for yourself - simplify processes
Complex sustainability measures are a deterrent. Projects that are easy to implement, understand and control are successful. Digital tools, standardized procedures and clear responsibilities help [Fraunhofer IAO, 2021].
Recommendation: Use digital platforms to document and manage all sustainability measures transparently - for example through dashboards, mobile apps for employees or automated reports for customers.
g) Do what is right for you - authenticity instead of greenwashing
Sustainability is not a marketing gimmick. Credibility comes from genuine conviction and consistent action. Start with measures that suit your company, can be implemented realistically and generate tangible added value [VDMA, 2022].
Conclusion: Start where you can make an impact - be it in the vehicle fleet, energy consumption or in the supply chain - and build on this.
Conclusion: sustainability is not a project, but a process
Facility management companies can become powerful levers for a more sustainable future. By connecting the dots, developing your own path and involving stakeholders, you can achieve a credible and effective transformation. The important thing is to start pragmatically, implement consistently and improve continuously.
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Sources:
[1] GEFMA, 2022: Leitfaden Nachhaltigkeit im Facility Management. www.gefma.de
[2] Federal Ministry for the Environment (BMUV), 2025: Nachhaltige Gebäudebewirtschaftung. www.bmuv.de
[3] Deloitte, 2023: Green Facility Management Report. www2.deloitte.com
[4] Fraunhofer IAO, 2021: Digitalization and sustainability in facility management.
[5] VDMA, 2022: Sustainability in building technology.
