Change architects

Change architects

  The disciplines of human resources and facilities management are increasingly becoming blurred in organisations, primarily because we are now facing such a significant workforce upheaval and challenge which we have not encountered before. The primary debate is, of course, about the ‘office’ and how in the post pandemic era we may need different things…

How Africa could become a global hydrogen powerhouse

How Africa could become a global hydrogen powerhouse

  Africa could supply the whole world with affordable low-carbon energy in the form of hydrogen, a new report suggests. In its Africa Energy Outlook 2022, the International Energy Agency (IEA) says Africa’s rich renewable resources — particularly solar energy, but also onshore wind — are the key to unlocking this potential. Africa could produce…

Should Your Facility Have an Indoor Positioning System?

Should Your Facility Have an Indoor Positioning System?

Let’s face it: Nobody likes getting lost. But facilities professionals, their colleagues in other departments, visitors, and customers often get lost when navigating unfamiliar facilities or even unfamiliar parts of their own facilities. They might also be hesitant to ask for directions, or maybe they just can’t find anyone to ask. There is a strong…

Looking for your dream job?  You might already be building it

Looking for your dream job? You might already be building it

“Was this your dream job when you were in school?” As the first chief sustainability officer for the city of Chicago, I was asked some version of this question many times. And the simple answer was actually “no.” Not because it wasn’t an absolutely amazing job. It was. The role just didn’t exist when I…

We need new corporate energy procurement standards to decarbonize the grid

We need new corporate energy procurement standards to decarbonize the grid

  Corporate emissions accounting standards and aligned recognition programs have encouraged many large corporations to invest in more renewable electricity. However, the drive towards a zero-carbon electric grid requires more than kilowatt hours of wind and solar. To enhance the emissions impact of these zero-carbon electricity purchases, it matters where the renewable energy is located…

Regenerative Buildings Represent the Future of Facilities

Regenerative Buildings Represent the Future of Facilities

Living buildings that return resources to the environment are one of the best strategies for combatting climate change. Sustainability is so last millennium. These days, sustainability is the bare minimum on building projects. Climate change has progressed to the point that sustainability alone won’t be adequate for preventing the worst effects. The definition of sustainability…