The Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (IWFM) has entered into a new ‘strategic partnership’ with market-leader in the energy and services sector, Equans – a collaboration that will the two organisations say will ‘leverage the huge potential of the workplace and facilities sector to help drive sustainability across organisations’.
The IWFM said: “The workplace and facilities management (WFM) profession is uniquely placed to lead on sustainability, and Net Zero plans in particular, because it is the only function that brings together the needs of the landlord, the end-user, and the supply chain. The partners share a mission to change the perception of this lynchpin role in driving sustainability outcomes and impacts within organisations and across the built environment.”
Through an initial two-year collaboration, IWFM says it will ‘incorporate Equans’ expertise in thought leadership, insights, and guidance to empower the profession in this mission’. Together the two organisations will ‘engage IWFM’s membership and broader audiences in the sustainability conversation’, and educate stakeholders on the purpose, actions, and potential of sustainability, “challenging on the ‘what’, the ‘why’, and ways to do more and to do better’”. Planned initiatives include:
- Sustainability Survey Reports 2024 and 2025.
- Sustainability Guidance.
- Hosting educational webinars and awareness campaigns.
IWFM and Equans say they ‘share a vision to accelerate the transition to a low carbon world, and establish the profession and WFM organisations as a key differentiator in achieving a sustainable world’.
IWFM CEO, Linda Hausmanis said, ‘This Earth Day I’m delighted to announce our collaboration with Equans. Sustainability is a pressing global concern, and at the top of the organisational agenda. IWFM research shows that WFM can play a lynchpin role in driving change which benefits people and planet. Through our joint initiatives, we aim to engage the entire WFM sector, highlighting its role in sustainability, and laying a solid foundation for the future whereby we transition intent into positive action and significant progress.”
David Carr, Divisional CEO of Sustainable FM at Equans UK & Ireland, added: “WFM is a key driver for organisational outcomes, and plays a leading role in sustainability. With this collaboration, we want to combine the best of Equans’ work with the IWFM focus, ensuring that organisations, professionals, and the community, have up-to-date and actionable research with which to strategise, act, and bring about positive sustainability outcomes. We look forward to publishing our work and tracking progress over time, ensuring that our collaboration engages and motivates as many people as possible to act on this crucial issue.”
