REQUIRED TOOLS, SKILLS, AND KNOWLEDGE FOR FUTURE-PROOFING FACILITY MANAGERS UNDER NETZERO LEGISLATION

Abstract

The global push for net zero emissions by mid-century is reshaping the competencies required in managing buildings. The built environment is a major front in climate mitigation, accounting for an estimated 38% of energy-related carbon emissions worldwide. This study reviews the tools, skills, and knowledge necessary to future-proof facility management (FM) professionals in alignment with evolving climate legislation, with a focus on the UK’s NetZero 2050 target. Through a critical synthesis of recent academic, industry, and policy literature, five key themes emerge: the rise of carbon literacy and regulatory fluency as core FM competencies, the urgency of digital proficiency, the importance of strategic communication, persistent gaps in training frameworks, and the uneven integration of sustainability tools in practice. Institutional barriers, such as outdated qualifications and limited upskilling opportunities are identified alongside technical challenges. A conceptual framework is proposed to guide FM upskilling, tool integration, and strategic repositioning within organizations. The findings offer actionable insights for industry bodies, training providers, and policymakers to align FM practice with national and global climate goals, highlighting that empowering FM professionals is pivotal to achieving decarbonisation targets.