Facility managers need to think ahead to keep up with new legislation and incentive schemes

Energy management legislation and the shift towards efficient lighting are typically the top two issues the facilities management (FM) industry in the region has to contend with, according to a report by Zawya, commissioned by FM Expo 2012.

Facilities managers are constantly being faced with the challenge of meeting energy management legislation and adhere to incentive schemes set by utility providers, causing them to have to think significantly ahead, as it becomes more costly to update FM systems in aged buildings, the report elaborated. Additionally, due to the recent ban of incandescent lamps, regional FM personnel have sought energy conservation through compact fluorescent lamps (CFPs) and light-emitting diodes (LEDs), it added.

According to the report, over the past 10 years, the Middle East has witnessed a rapid increase in building developments and construction activity. Due to the region’s continuous dependency on oil as a primary source of energy, and its depleting resources, the region has been in search of new ways to conserve energy and work towards sustainability.

Paving the way towards a more sustainable future is part of the educational programme available at FM Expo 2012, being held from November 5 to 8, which will help shape and regulate the regional FM industry, with speakers including Naser Al Marzooqi, head of facilities management, City Zone, Masdar City and Cathy Yang, Vice President, Developer and owner, Taipei Financial Centre Corporation, the organisers claimed.