The Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (IWFM) is calling on workplace and facilities managers (WFMs) to “step up and lead” their organisations to achieve net zero goals following the release of its Sustainability Report 2024, published today.

The report has identified widespread intent to meet the 2050 deadline for net zero, as 75 per cent of organisations say they expect to reach this national target. This represents meaningful progress from the Institute’s 2022 sustainability survey, which found that just 53 per cent of organisations had a clear net zero target and roadmap.

The 2024 Report with sustainability partner Equans UK & Ireland and in collaboration with IWFM’s Sustainability Special Interest Group (SIG) also finds real progress in planning for energy efficiency and decarbonisation with 56 per cent of organisations undertaking it, a 19 percentage point rise from 2023.

IWFM’s Market Outlook report, published earlier this year, found that carbon reduction solutions were enjoying the largest investment increases in the sector. In today’s Sustainability Report, IWFM explores the investment story further covering areas, ways of financing and past and future priorities. It also makes a deep dive into Scope 3, including awareness, uptake and impact on the feasibility of net zero plans.

As well as showing an evolution in the type of investments made, with move toward a more sophisticated and innovative solutions, the research finds that workplace and facilities managers are having a real impact on these decisions, with consequences that are expected to make a real difference to carbon emissions.

Sofie Hooper, Head of Policy and Research at IWFM, said: “Workplace and facilities management transforms organisations and WFMs have real agency in net zero planning. We are encouraged to see that WFMs are influencing investments, especially the type of investments organisations are making but we want to see much more involvement of these lynchpin operators overall. As well as providing expert help and encouragement to WFMs, today’s report turns up the volume on our call to the profession to put its value into action: ‘Step up and lead. Your organisation will benefit’.’’

IWFM CEO Linda Hausmanis said: “I’m proud of the latest addition to our multi-year research programme which seeks to empower our members to make the big changes to achieve net zero goals and support the transformation to adaptation. Collaboration will be the foundation for achieving those ambitions, and it is the bedrock for this report – we could not have done it without our Sustainability SIG, our sustainability partner Equans and all of those who participated in the survey- together we will continue to make a difference.”

Amelle Mestari, Procurement & CSR Manager at Equans UK & Ireland said: “As a market leader in the FM space, we understand the challenges workplace and facilities managers face but also recognise the significant opportunity we have to lead on decarbonisation and accelerate the industry’s journey to net zero. Working with IWFM on the 2024 Sustainability Survey has allowed us to gather invaluable insights from members and WFMs, resulting in resources like this report that empower positive change and measurable outcomes.

‘With scope 3 emissions forming a crucial part of the net zero equation, there is no doubt that we must integrate these insights into decarbonisation strategies, ensuring a cohesive and coordinated approach to carbon reduction across the industry. This Sustainability Survey Report will equip WFMs with essential tools and knowledge to collectively drive forward impactful, sustainable practices that deliver meaningful change now and beyond net zero.’

Also new this year is a spotlight on IWFM’s Ireland Region. The findings will feed into the IWFM Ireland Committee’s strategic plan.

IWFM and Equans are hosting a webinar panel discussion on 4 December to offer greater insight into the Report’s findings.