With many of our customers starting to consider their aspirations towards carbon reduction targets, AFM are working to define our Low Carbon Facilities Management proposition. Over the next 12 months we will be engaging with customers and colleagues to produce a roadmap to measure and reduce our own carbon footprint and align our customer offerings in order to assist them on their journey.

Businesses have a significant role to play if we are to meet our net zero targets, this will not be an easy task, nor is it a short journey. It relies on a wide range of measures being implemented and a fundamental shift in company culture. In a recent statement by the former Governor of the Bank of England, Mark Carney, he notes “Companies that do not adapt to the challenges brought by the climate crisis will go bankrupt without question”.  That really gives food for thought - it is clear we need a shift in attitude with wide societal change to make net zero happen. All organisations should be encouraging this shift in mindset at all levels of their business starting in the Board Room.

Many of the buildings we manage have complex building services installations and a vital role in our maintenance services is to ensure they are being correctly maintained and operated. There is often a balancing act between carbon reduction and operating costs, whilst still ensuring a safe comfortable working environment. Even new systems designed to the latest standards can be inefficient and provide poor levels of comfort if the installation and commissioning is not correctly carried out.

With Vince Smith joining us in April, AFM is the only Channel Islands CIBSE certificated Low Carbon Consultant and thus already able to provide professional advice to both building construction and operation. This gives us a strong starting point in defining our own net zero journey and creating future services for our customers.