Why Facilities Management should underpin your net zero success
Executive director of ESG Kam Singh explores the key stages of the journey to net zero after the initial quick wins have been achieved
The era of easy wins on net zero is over. If your organisation is still pointing to renewable tariffs and LED upgrades as proof of progress, you are already behind. Those early measures were necessary, but they were the low-hanging fruit. The next phase of decarbonisation is harder, more expensive, and far less forgiving. And this time, there are no shortcuts.
Facilities and estates sit at the centre of the challenge. They account for a large share of emissions, and they also offer the clearest pathway to measurable progress. That is why facilities management has moved from being a support function to a strategic partner in the net zero journey.
FM as a strategic partner
Decarbonisation is no longer about incremental tweaks; it’s about systemic change. Fleet electrification is a good example: it is not just a matter of swapping vehicles. Charging infrastructure is inconsistent across regions, installation is costly, and investment decisions must be made years ahead of wider grid readiness.
Building decarbonisation is equally complex. Replacing gas boilers with heat pumps requires significant capital, but also a clear picture of how heat is currently used, where inefficiencies lie, and how systems will perform under new loads. Without that analysis, organisations risk locking in costly, ineffective solutions.
HVAC, chillers and boilers remain the bedrock of carbon reduction in estates. Optimising these systems should come before large-scale technology shifts. Smart building tools provide valuable data on energy use and efficiency, but raw data is meaningless without interpretation.
FM providers are increasingly the translators, benchmarking performance across sites, identifying inefficiencies, and prioritising interventions. Crucially, we don’t stop at strategy: FM teams also deliver the projects, whether that means upgrading HVAC systems, managing solar installations, or rolling out EV infrastructure.
Scope 3 emissions raise the bar further. Customers want disclosure, investors expect alignment with initiatives such as the Science Based Targets initiative, and regulators are beginning to close in. FM providers, who already manage sprawling supplier networks, can standardise reporting across contracts, enforce consistency, and help customers bring order to what is often the most chaotic part of their footprint.
Facing the uncomfortable truth about costs
There is no hiding from it: the next phase of decarbonisation is unlikely to deliver immediate financial returns. Heat pumps, EV fleets and major retrofits come with heavy upfront costs, and in some cases, there will be no direct return on investment at all – only increased operational expenditure.
But the uncomfortable truth is that delay is failure dressed as caution. Waiting for perfect ROI cases will leave organisations exposed to regulatory penalties, reputational damage, and stranded assets. The market is moving. Customers, investors and regulators will not reward hesitation. Businesses that continue to stall will not just fall short of their commitments – they will fall behind their competitors. Net zero is not optional, and inaction is no longer defensible.
The bridge between ambition and delivery
Facilities management is uniquely placed to bridge the gap between ambition and delivery. We combine deep technical knowledge with the ability to act across estates, systems, fleets and supply chains. We are already guiding data-driven decisions, implementing complex programmes, and keeping momentum when the easy wins have long been exhausted.
By 2030, numerous organisations will be telling one of two stories: either explaining why they failed to meet their net zero commitments, or celebrating a collaborate effort with their key partners that made their success possible.
Which story will you be telling?
Support with your net zero journey
The smart businesses will protect themselves from risk and position their organisations as leaders in a low-carbon economy.
If you would like to discuss how we can support your business on its net zero journey, please get in touch with our team.
