Climate change and facilities management in commercial real estate: Stakeholder understanding, operational impacts, and decision-making in Ghana

Tahiru Alhassan; Anthony Owusu-Ansah; Joseph Kwaku Kidido; Anthony Adjei-Twum

doi:10.51867/ajernet.7.4.123

Authors

Tahiru Alhassan Sunyani Technical University, Ghana https://orcid.org/0009-0001-3954-5484
Anthony Owusu-Ansah Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2373-7550
Joseph K. Kidido Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5500-4154
Anthony Adjei-Twum Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4042-3177

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51867/ajernet.7.4.123

Keywords:

Adaptation, Climate Change, Commercial Real Estate, Facilities Management, Mitigation, Perceptions, Support, Understanding

Abstract

Climate change has gained global attention due to its effects on every aspect of society. This has led sectors worldwide to take action to address it. Effective sustainable facilities management practices are crucial in addressing climate change. Using institutional theory, the study examines understanding, perceptions, and support for climate change mitigation and adaptation in the commercial real estate sector, focusing on facilities management practices. The study adopted a qualitative research design using semi-structured interviews. The interview guide included questions that centred on stakeholders' understanding, perceptions, and support for climate change in facilities management practices. The target population comprised facilities management professionals, experts, and regulators. A purposive sample of 8 participants was selected and interviewed using a combination of face-to-face and online methods. The data were analysed thematically using MAXQDA Pro 2025. Participants demonstrated a high level of understanding and awareness of climate change. Stakeholders supported climate action, as evidenced by the adoption of sustainable initiatives in facility management operations. Despite these efforts, stakeholders were unable to effectively translate their understanding of climate change into actionable strategies to mitigate its impacts and adapt commercial facilities. The study contributes to existing knowledge by highlighting stakeholders' understanding and awareness of climate change, as well as their support for climate action in facilities management within the commercial real estate sector. The findings highlight the need for capacity-building initiatives to strengthen FM professionals' technical understanding of climate change and translate this knowledge into effective climate-responsive practices, thereby promoting sustainable facilities management operations.

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