Saarang Ganapathi tells us how sustainable evolution is not a destination, but a journey towards creating spaces that are environmentally responsible, economically viable, and socially equitable.
Sustainability embodies a holistic approach that encompasses environmental stewardship, economic viability, and social responsibility. A Facility Management (FM) company stands at the forefront of this paradigm shift, witnessing the evolution of sustainable practices within the industry. Within FM, sustainability is about optimizing building performance, reducing environmental footprint, enhancing occupant comfort, and fostering long-term value for stakeholders.
The primary objective of sustainable evolution is enhancing energy efficiency. Buildings stand as significant contributors to global energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. This reality underscores the need for proactive measures to minimize their environmental impact. FM companies play a crucial role in planning and implementing these measures for the buildings they manage.
Renewable Energy Advisory
One such role is to play an advisory role in the implementation of renewable energy solutions. Whether it’s installing rooftop solar panels, utilizing grid wheeling, or integrating electric vehicle infrastructure, FM companies can assist their clients in unlocking the potential of green energy. This not only reduces carbon footprints but also contributes to India’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions.
As proponents of renewable energy adoption, FM can offer strategic guidance and expertise through meticulous assessment, feasibility studies, and financial analysis, governance structure, renewable energy advisors who can pinpoint the most suitable technologies, reports and deployment strategies to optimize energy generation.
The integration of renewable energy technologies like solar photovoltaic panels, wind turbines, and geothermal heat pumps presents a sustainable alternative to traditional energy sources. By tapping into these renewable resources, facilities can generate clean power onsite, decreasing reliance on fossil fuels and grid electricity.
Integration of Technology
IoT (Internet of Things) allows for smarter energy management. Sensors and connected devices optimize energy consumption by adjusting settings based on occupancy and usage patterns. This slashes operational costs, mitigates environmental impact by substantial energy savings and does not compromise the occupants comfort levels.
Through energy-efficient systems like Smart HVAC, facility management companies can control and use advanced algorithms and sensors to optimize heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, ensuring precise temperature regulation and energy conservation.
Furthermore, sustainable evolution entails embracing data-driven solutions. Building automation systems, predictive maintenance platforms, and real-time analytics empower facility managers to optimize building performance, streamline operations, and proactively address maintenance issues. By harnessing the power of data, facilities can transition from reactive to proactive maintenance strategies, thereby minimizing downtime, optimizing resource utilization, and extending asset lifespan.
Project Management Consultancy
The role of facility management in project management consultancy (PMC) services ensure seamless implementation and execution of real estate projects from conception to completion. By overseeing project planning, procurement, installations, and commissioning, project managers ensure that infrastructures related to renewable energy, water management, waste management, reporting systems are integrated effectively with existing building infrastructure while adhering to quality, safety, and regulatory standards. Additionally, project management consultancy services involve performance monitoring, optimization, and ongoing maintenance to ensure the long-term viability and reliability of renewable energy systems.
Compliance and Governance
Compliance and governance frameworks are indispensable in achieving sustainability objectives. By adhering to regulatory standards and industry best practices, facility managers ensure that buildings operate in accordance with environmental and safety regulations. Compliance with energy efficiency standards and green building certifications such as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), Sword of Honour from the British Safety Council and ISO certifications further validates commitment to sustainability.
Improved Fixtures
LED lighting represents another cornerstone of energy efficiency in facility management. Compared to traditional incandescent bulbs, LED lights consume significantly less energy while delivering superior performance and longevity. By replacing outdated lighting fixtures with energy-efficient LEDs, facility managers can slash electricity consumption and maintenance costs while improving lighting quality and ambiance.
ESG Integration
Beyond environmental considerations, sustainable evolution in FM extends to enhancing occupant health and well-being. Indoor air quality, natural lighting, thermal comfort, and ergonomic design are key factors that influence occupant productivity, satisfaction, and overall experience within a facility. By prioritizing indoor environmental quality, facility managers are creating a healthier and more productive work environments while enhancing tenant retention rates.
In addition to environmental and economic benefits, sustainable evolution in facility management fosters social responsibility and community engagement. Engaging with tenants, employees, and local communities through sustainability initiatives, education programs, and volunteer activities not only enhances corporate reputation but also strengthens stakeholder relationships and fosters a culture of sustainability.
With a certified team of Subject Matter Experts, FM companies ensure governance across various aspects including landscape maintenance, water management, waste management, building maintenance, and technology implementation in line with prevailing trends and certifications for each service. By effectively managing these areas, FM companies contribute to the overall sustainability and responsible management of the properties aligning with broader ESG goals.
As we navigate towards a more sustainable future, collaboration and partnership are paramount. Facility management companies, real estate developers, building owners, tenants, and industry stakeholders must work hand in hand to drive collective action towards sustainable evolution. By sharing best practices, fostering innovation, and setting ambitious sustainability goals, we can collectively accelerate the transition towards a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable built environment.
In conclusion, with the integration of AI and smart technology, we help organizations operationalize and govern their ESG path with much ease and transparency. Further, through the implementation of energy-efficient systems, water conservation measures, waste management strategies, community engagement, CSR, compliance and governance, we as facility managers enable the holistic wellbeing of organizations, their employees, and real estate assets. Sustainable evolution is not a destination, but a journey—a journey towards creating buildings and spaces that are environmentally responsible, economically viable, and socially equitable.
Saarang Ganapathi is the COO of Embassy Services Pvt. Ltd. Formerly serving as the Country Head – Property Management at ESPL, Saarang, at the young age of 31, has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills, industry knowledge, and a proven track record in managing a vast and varied real estate portfolio. With a portfolio that spans 130+ million square feet across 11 states in India and a workforce exceeding 18,000 professionals, Saarang has successfully handled the needs of multiple clients from every vertical of real estate.
