IFMA Launches Sustainability Certification for Facility Managers

 The International Facility Management Association (IFMA) will begin offering a new credential aimed at individuals who create, manage and operate sustainable facilities.

The Sustainability Facility Professional (SFP) credential is a three-year certificate awarded after the completion of a training program. The program's courses focus on strategy and alignment, management and operation of sustainable facilities.

The credential will ensure professionals integrate sustainability into their company's business practices and know how to make the business case for sustainability efforts while also tracking progress. 

The courses are designed to show how SFPs can improve eight sustainability target areas in buildings, including energy, water, materials and resources, workplace management, indoor environmental air quality, quality of services, and site impact.

The program also covers tools like the EPA's Energy Star Portfolio Manager and building rating systems like LEED and Green Globes.

The program will offer self-study and instructor-led training formats, with the self-study options available this month, and the instructor program launching this summer. Both include printed and online learning tools.

Anyone receiving the certificate will need to be reassessed every three years to retain their SFP credential.

_{Buildings - CC license by thienzieyung (Flickr)}