Promoting Greener Offices

We can’t get through the week nowadays without hearing of some new scheme to encourage us to save energy or protect the environment. And with companies demanding that their offices follow the domestic trend to ‘go sustainable’, the challenge for facilities managers and other property professionals is to effect these changes for the better of the planet, while keeping costs competitive for the good of the business.

The hot topic of global warming.It’s not necessarily something to be proud of, that it takes a crisis to force people into thinking about environmental issues, but the summer’s widespread flooding, the increased hurricane activity of recent years, and the generally out-of-season weather we’ve been experiencing have really put the subject of our latent effect on the planet under the spotlight.

Businesses in the UK can’t avoid the debate, with the increasingly publicised fact that nearly half of the country’s CO2 emissions come from the built environment. They shouldn’t avoid it, because the reality is that if each one makes even minor changes, their overall impact on the earth will be dramatically reduced. Moreover, contrary to popular belief, such changes don’t have to come with a massive financial outlay – and if done properly, can have minimal or no disruption on the everyday operations of the workplace.

The bottom line.It is true that the initial expenditure for sustainable products can sometimes exceed that of their ‘traditional’ counterparts, but in most cases this is offset by the generated return on investment.

Finding ways of introducing more natural light and fresh air can, for instance, almost overnight save a company up to 25% off their energy bills, as the need for costly artificial light and ventilation is reduced. Sophisticated technology such as video conferencing may seem like a luxury, but saves money in the long run as it reduces travel costs – and of course, fewer drivers on the road means less pollution. Furthermore, the Government has put into place incentives, such as Enhanced Capital Allowances, to make the move to sustainability a little more financially rewarding – and which should keep the Financial Director happy.

Cultural gain. The decision to make your office more sustainable reflects well on your business too. The benefits of ethical business are widely recognised, and energy efficiency can be the cornerstone of a Corporate Social Responsibility programme. Being declared ‘carbon neutral’ is also a great way of promoting a business.

It’s really important to communicate sustainability goals through staff training and the use of notice boards, as it reinforces green messages and gets staff involved in the company’s vision. As individuals, they can feel they are making a difference to help save the planet too.

Health & well-being. The benefits of the sustainable office are not only commercial. It can claim altruistic advantages too - many features of the‘green’ office have positive effects on the people who work within them. And just being sustainable is motivating for staff – recent research by Morgan Lovell has shown that over 90 percent of workers value being part of an office with a green agenda.

It sounds fairly obvious, but more natural light and fresh air can really improve a working environment, so much so that people start to feel good about where they work – which reduces absenteeism, and is a real selling point in recruiting and retaining staff.

Other options, such as using low-VOC paints rather than chemical rich alternatives, are better for your employees in the long-run, although they may not notice the effects. It’s good to get staff involved, so providing recycling facilities is a brilliant way of persuading people to do their bit. And if space exists, why not install bicycle racks? Not only is this an effective way of encouraging green travel, it shows staff that you’ve really considered their needs.

Put into action. There are a couple of systems that can be used to measure and improve the environmental performance of your property: BREEAM (the Building Research Establishment’s Environmental Assessment Method) covers all types of spaces, and they have recently introduced the assessment criteria for refurbished offices; LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design’s ‘green’ rating system) was developed for buildings in the United States, but is becoming increasingly recognised in the UK. Working towards either of these is a fundamental and rewarding step towards achieving a sustainable workplace.

However, you can start small. Simple things like switching off equipment when not in use, turning the heating down, cutting down on unnecessary printing – these all make a difference.

Do your bit. To conclude, just by implementing some small, realistic and achievable changes into the work routine will help to significantly reduce CO2 emissions and save money - and ultimately improve the environment of both the office and the planet.

If you want to go the extra mile, though, and make your property portfolio truly sustainable, there are ways of doing this that won’t break the bank – and your company will soon reap the rewards. With careful planning, the green office is easier than it might first seem – and solutions to create the concept needn’t cost the earth.

For a slightly more in-depth guide to going sustainable, visit Morgan Lovell’s website, http://www.morganlovell.com and download their free Sustainability Checklist.

This article first appeared in Sustainable FM magazine.