From Theory to Practice: Sustainability in the Workplace

Given that real estate accounts for around 40% of global carbon emissions, parking sustainability issues in the side-lines is neither viable nor responsible. But how can businesses put sustainable working into practice?

14 Oct 2021

4 minutes to read

As one of the ‘four S’s’ set to shape our future workplace outlined in (Y)OUR SPACE, sustainability pressures from investors, businesses, and talent will alter the way we work. We speak to our experts around the globe to understand the nature of these pressures – and pose a handful of solutions. Our panel includes Craig Frost, a Partner in our Project & Building Consultancy team, Sarah Audsley, an Associate in our Strategic Consultancy team, and Neil Archer, Managing Director of Knight Frank Switzerland.

How important is sustainability for occupiers, specifically under the lens of shareholders, customers, and employees?

"In one word – very. If we step back a couple of years ago, it was just creeping on to the agenda with only the most forward-thinking occupiers taking it into consideration. However, we have noticed a gathering pace which has accelerated over the past six months. For example, we started a project a few months ago and when we first mentioned sustainability, it was viewed as an add-on cost to the project. When we discussed it again a few weeks ago, the client had been questioned about their ESG agenda by investors. Sustainability is now front and centre. Clients are asking about sustainability accreditations, carbon outputs and carbon savings." - Craig Frost

How important is sustainability in attracting and retaining staff? Are prospective employees now seeking out businesses that align with their ethos?

"In attracting and retaining talent, sustainability is very important. The climate crisis presents many challenges to people in terms of how they live their lives and what changes they can make. We spend so much of our lives at work, that of course, if we want to feel like we are making a difference, then who we work for and what they do is of great importance. I think we all want to do better and are looking to our employers to lead the way. With economies of scale, businesses are able to complete large scale change, and people want to be a part of that." - Sarah Audsley

How will the physical workplace adapt to become more sustainable?

"I think the office will adapt to become more sustainable, not just in the way the building is built, but also the finishes and items within them, such as the materials used in partitions and furniture. However, I think we’ll mainly start to see a shift away from wasteful changes when different occupiers take space.

We’ve already started to see this in sustainable building. When rebuilding Eland House in Victoria, for example, over 80% of the original structure was retained and the new Verde building was built around it. It’s an astonishing transformation that saves over 11,000 tonnes of carbon compared to knocking the building down and starting again. I think we need to see that kind of approach inside the building.

As sectors blur into different types of hybrid and agile working, the idea of moving into a new office and stripping it back to start again should be a thing of the past. Design the space to suit, but think about how much change is really necessary to create the space required." - Sarah Audsley

How can we work in different ways to become more sustainable?

"The most fundamental positive impact on our energy consumption in the commercial environment has been driven through this pandemic and the rapid movement to a hybrid working environment. This has a significant impact on the number of journeys occurring to and from the office, which reduces the carbon footprint of the office. It also reduces the intensity in which we use the office, including the amount of energy and the volume of space we use.

We must be cautious though, because not all homes are set up to be as efficient as the office. We also have to think about the implications of more home-based working, and how we can ensure that the environment at home is at least as sustainable, if not more sustainable than the office environment." - Neil Archer

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