In today’s business environment, sustainability is not just a buzzword – it’s a necessity. Companies across all sectors are realising the value of aligning with global frameworks like the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to improve their environmental impact, gain a competitive edge, and contribute to a more sustainable future.
With support from the Laois Local Enterprise Office’s Green for Business programme, Bluestone Facilities Management partnered with Iregan Advisors to enhance their sustainability efforts. This case study showcases how Bluestone, with our guidance, aligned its operations with key SDGs, driving measurable improvements and enhancing its market position.
About Bluestone Facilities Management
Bluestone Facilities Management is a prominent facilities management company based in Ireland, recognised for its dedication to excellence and innovation in service delivery. Established in 2003, Bluestone has established itself as a trusted partner for clients across various sectors, offering a comprehensive range of solutions tailored to meet their evolving needs.
The company prides itself on its unique approach to service delivery, characterised by flexibility, accessibility, and innovation. With its concierge service model, Bluestone goes above and beyond traditional facilities management offerings, catering to the diverse needs of their customers.
Whether it’s sourcing coffee beans or undertaking building refurbishments, Bluestone is dedicated to providing comprehensive solutions tailored to meet the specific requirements of each client.
Leveraging their small size to their advantage, Bluestone ensures a personalised and responsive service experience, with direct access to dedicated support teams available at the end of the phone, 24/7.
Embracing a culture of innovation, Bluestone collaborates closely with customers to drive continuous improvement and technological advancement. From transitioning customers away from paper-based and Excel records to implementing digital records and assurance tools, Bluestone is committed to pushing the boundaries of conventional practices to deliver sustainably focussed, value-added solutions that meet the evolving needs of their clientele.
There is a notable commitment to Sustainability within the organisation, coupled with a keen awareness of the ethical, compliance, and business advantages associated with advancing green initiatives.
1. The Challenge: Transitioning to Sustainable Operations
Bluestone Facilities Management has sought to reduce its environmental impact and improve operational efficiency. However, like many businesses, they needed a strategic framework to guide their existing and future efforts, and ensure that sustainability initiatives were embedded into every aspect of their operations.
2. The Solution: Aligning with the UN SDGs
At Iregan Advisors, we believe in the power of the UN SDGs as a roadmap for sustainable business transformation. For Bluestone, we identified five critical SDGs that aligned with their operations:
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – Focus on energy efficiency and renewable energy adoption.
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – Innovating their approach to facilities management to reduce environmental impact.
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – Supporting resilient, sustainable communities through their work with urban facilities.
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – Reducing waste and promoting responsible resource use.
- SDG 13: Climate Action – Implementing practices to reduce carbon emissions and support climate resilience.
3. The Strategy: Comprehensive Sustainability Roadmap
In collaboration with Bluestone, we developed a set of strategic sustainability plans to guide their future initiatives, focusing on key areas such as energy, waste management, and stakeholder engagement. These plans were designed to create a roadmap for achieving long-term sustainability goals while aligning with the UN SDGs. Below are just some of the elements of that plan.
- Capturing Existing Sustainable Practices & Policies: The business was already engaged in many sustainable practices and actions and these were captured to allow for acknowledgement of and communication amongst their stakeholders. Existing actions included their reduction in paper and energy waste through a paperless office policy and LED lighting systems, implementation of smart energy management with plans to install solar panels, introduction of low flow water systems to reduce water use, use and promotion of digital systems to reduce paper and energy consumption and support of staff development and community projects such as The Abbeyleix Bog Project. It also includes services offering such as preservation of heritage sites and support to reduce energy and waste consumption for customers.
- Policy Reviews and Target Setting: A key aspect of the plan was the review of Bluestone’s sustainability policies and targets, ensuring they align and reflect actual business activities. These reviews also included plans to investigate the measurement of water usage, refine sustainability goals, and explore suitable frameworks and certifications for future compliance.
- Energy and Waste Audits: Included in the plans were energy audits to investigate sustainable energy options. Additionally, future upgrades to the vehicle fleet, transitioning to electric or hybrid models, were prioritised. Improvements in waste measurement and segregation were planned, including a review of waste labelling and a strategy for engaging subcontractors to align with Bluestone’s sustainability standards.
- Biodiversity and Stakeholder Engagement: The strategic sustainability plan also focused on improving biodiversity both within Bluestone’s operations and in collaboration with clients. The development of a sustainability communications plan was included to ensure Bluestone could effectively engage stakeholders, share progress, and provide sustainability guidance to clients.
These plans were designed to provide Bluestone with a clear path forward in their sustainability journey, ensuring that each action contributes to long-term environmental, social, and economic benefits.
4. The Results: A Greener, More Competitive Business
As a result of this collaboration, Bluestone has seen:
- A measurable reduction in carbon emissions.
- A clearer market position as a sustainability-focused facilities management provider.
- Improved internal processes that align with sustainability certifications and green procurement requirements.
5. Why the SDGs Matter
The UN SDGs offer a globally-recognised framework that not only provides businesses with clear goals but also helps communicate their sustainability efforts to clients, stakeholders, and the wider market. For Bluestone, aligning with the SDGs has provided a strategic focus that drives both business success and positive environmental impact.
Conclusion
With support from the Local Enterprise Office’s Green for Business programme, Bluestone has embedded sustainability into its core business model. This collaboration with Iregan Advisors is a testament to how businesses of all sizes can achieve sustainability goals with the right guidance and strategic focus.
By embedding sustainability into their core business model, Bluestone is setting itself apart in the facilities management industry, proving that green initiatives are not just good for the planet – they’re great for business too.