Introduction

The Sustainability Facility Professional (SFP) credential, offered by IFMA (International Facility Management Association), is a globally recognized certification designed for facility managers who want to integrate sustainability practices into their organizations. This comprehensive training course provides participants with the knowledge and tools to enhance environmental, economic, and social responsibility within facilities while optimizing performance and reducing costs.

With the increasing global emphasis on carbon neutrality, energy efficiency, and green building practices, SFP-certified professionals are equipped to drive sustainability initiatives, improve operational efficiency, and align facility management strategies with corporate sustainability goals.

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the SFP certification process and its benefits.
• Master the three core areas of sustainability in FM: Strategy & Alignment, Managing Sustainable Facilities, and Operating Sustainable Facilities.
• Apply energy management, water conservation, waste reduction, and sustainable procurement strategies.
• Evaluate and implement green building certifications such as LEED, WELL, and BREEAM.
• Develop strategies to meet regulatory compliance, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) standards, and corporate sustainability goals.
• Prepare for the SFP assessment and gain confidence in passing the certification.

Who Should Attend?

This course is ideal for:

• Facility managers, operations managers, and sustainability officers aiming to enhance their expertise in sustainable practices.
• Property managers, architects, engineers, and real estate professionals involved in sustainable facility planning.
• Corporate sustainability professionals looking to align FM operations with ESG and net-zero carbon goals.
• Building owners, consultants, and service providers seeking to integrate green initiatives into their facility operations.
• Environmental health & safety (EHS) officers ensuring compliance with sustainability regulations.

Day 1: Introduction to the SFP Certification & Sustainability Strategy

Understanding the SFP Certification

• Overview of IFMA’s SFP credential and certification process.
• Key benefits of earning the SFP certification.
• How sustainability aligns with facility management best practices.

Sustainability in Facility Management: A Strategic Approach

• Defining Sustainability in FM: Environmental, economic, and social responsibility.
• Regulatory Compliance & Industry Standards: ISO 14001, LEED, BREEAM, WELL, and Energy Star.
• Sustainability Trends & Future Challenges: Climate change policies, net-zero buildings, and smart cities.
• Aligning FM with Corporate ESG Goals: How to integrate sustainability into business strategies.

Developing a Sustainability Action Plan

• Identifying key performance indicators (KPIs) for sustainability.
• Stakeholder engagement and collaboration.
• Sustainability reporting and communication strategies.

Day 2: Managing Sustainable Facilities

Energy Management & Carbon Reduction Strategies

• Energy Audits & Benchmarking: Identifying inefficiencies and setting reduction targets.
• Smart Energy Systems: IoT, AI, and real-time energy monitoring.
• Renewable Energy Integration: Solar, wind, geothermal, and bioenergy solutions.
• Net-Zero and Carbon Neutrality: Strategies for decarbonizing facility operations.

Water Conservation & Sustainable Plumbing Solutions

• Water efficiency in buildings: Low-flow fixtures, rainwater harvesting, and greywater reuse.
• Leak detection and real-time monitoring for water conservation.
• Water quality management and compliance with environmental regulations.

Sustainable Waste Management & Circular Economy

• Waste Reduction Hierarchy: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Recover.
• Zero-Waste Facilities: Best practices for waste diversion and composting.
• Procurement & Supply Chain Sustainability: Sourcing eco-friendly materials and minimizing waste.

Day 3: Operating Sustainable Facilities

Green Building Certifications & Compliance

• LEED Certification: Overview, criteria, and certification levels.
• WELL Building Standard: Integrating human health and wellness into FM.
• BREEAM & Other Global Sustainability Standards.

Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) & Workplace Wellness

• Air quality management: Ventilation, filtration, and monitoring technologies.
• Sustainable lighting and daylight integration.
• Acoustic and ergonomic strategies for occupant well-being.

Smart & Sustainable Building Technologies

• AI and IoT in Sustainable FM: How smart sensors optimize resource efficiency.
• Building Automation Systems (BAS) for energy efficiency.
• Digital Twin Technology: Using real-time data for predictive maintenance.

Day 4: Financial & Risk Management in Sustainable FM

Financial Analysis & ROI of Sustainability Initiatives

• Cost-Benefit Analysis of Green Investments.
• Lifecycle Costing & Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).
• Green Bonds & Sustainability Incentives: Funding sustainability initiatives.

Risk Management & Resilience in Sustainable FM

• Climate Change Adaptation & Resilient Facility Design.
• Natural Disaster Preparedness & Business Continuity Planning.
• Mitigating Regulatory & Legal Risks in sustainability compliance.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) & Ethical FM

• The Role of FM in Corporate ESG & CSR Programs.
• Stakeholder & Community Engagement in sustainability projects.
• Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) in FM.

Day 5: Review, SFP Exam Preparation & Case Studies

Comprehensive Review of Key SFP Competencies

• Recap of sustainability strategy, operations, and financial analysis.
• Common exam challenges and how to overcome them.
• Addressing participant questions and areas of concern.

Practice Exam & SFP Assessment Readiness

• Sample SFP-style test questions and simulations.
• Time management strategies for taking the SFP exam.
• Understanding IFMA’s scoring system and retake policies.

Real-World Case Studies & Applications

• Case studies on high-performing sustainable buildings.
• Group discussions on real-world sustainability challenges.
• Developing personalized sustainability action plans.

Course Methodology

• Expert-Led Instruction: Delivered by experienced sustainability & FM professionals.
• Hands-On Exercises: Case studies, group discussions, and problem-solving activities.
• Practice Exams & Simulations: Realistic exam-style assessments for confidence building.
• Interactive Learning Tools: Online resources, sustainability toolkits, and study materials.