IFMA Joins ASHRAE, Other Building Industry Organizations in Assuming Leadership Role in Global Decarbonization Efforts

IFMA is 1 of 26 Signatories Collectively Committing to Lead the Built Environment in Mitigating and Adapting to Climate Change

On Nov. 8, 2022, a statement signed by 26 of the world’s leading building industry organizations – including IFMA – was issued by ASHRAE to government representatives attending the United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP 27), pledging to assume a leadership role in efforts to decarbonize the built environment. Read the Statement

Acutely aware of the building sector’s negative environmental impact – primarily in global resource consumption, waste and energy usage – IFMA is strongly committed to helping FMs worldwide turn their organizations toward the path to positive sustainable action.

“The weight of addressing and solving the climate crisis is not for one industry, nation, organization or movement to shoulder alone. The challenge is on all of us; but people need to be inspired by real-world examples of successful sustainable outcomes. Those of us in the building industry are in a prime position to provide those examples – showing the economic, social and environmental benefits of sustainable facility practices and policies. We have an incredible opportunity to change mindsets and lead imperative action by broadly reporting on measured performance results, which is what building professionals do every day,” said Laurie A. Gilmer, P.E., CFM, FMP, SFP, LEED AP, chair of IFMA’s Global Board of Directors.

Read ASHRAE’s Press Release

To do business on the world stage, organizations must allocate resources to improve efforts in achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. According to the U.S. Green Building Council, green jobs are in demand, and facility management is growing in recognition as a green building career. FMs are uniquely positioned to lead next-level sustainability strategies; and Sustainability Facility Professionals^® (SFP^®) are qualified to set targets that matter, turn commitment into accountability and make a measurable, meaningful difference.

IFMA’s SFP credential has been updated to address significant changes in the sustainability arena – such as energy purchasing and consumption, ESG reporting and the circular economy – and to accommodate facility professionals’ limited time in pursuing valuable credentials.

Learn about IFMA’s updated SFP »