The race to be recognized as an ESG complied organization has now become more heated than ever. But why are businesses emphasizing ESG compliance? A rising concern among consumers about a corporate’s responsibility beyond business paired with heightened scrutiny by investors and executives, who acknowledge the role of ESG compliance in a company’s long-term success is driving such sentiments. Consequently, organizations are seeking sustainable workspaces that align with their sustainability goals.
To oil the wheels of occupiers’ carbon footprint targets, coworking spaces have been continuously innovating and experimenting with their designs, structure, interiors, furniture, and fixtures, and resource utilization practices. However, the recent advancement in technology has given a whole new meaning to what sustainable workspaces are.
Here’s looking at how modern workspaces are donning innovation and practicing sustainability amidst fast-moving ESG compliance concerns among occupiers:
- Shared use of resources:
Coworking spaces are established on the very principle of resource sharing where businesses from different industries share not only workspaces but also office supplies, equipment, stationery, electricity, and other resources, thereby cutting down on basic wastefulness. The use of shared resources promotes optimal utilization of resources and finances. - Energy-efficient travel:
Traditional office setups require the workforce to travel from different corners of a city to a central location. This leads to a loss of time and money that could otherwise have been saved by leveraging coworking space providers’ large networks. The presence of coworking players in multiple cities through multiple centres provides easy access to workspaces to its large audience base, thus reducing travel time, money spent, and pollution. - Integration of tech:
Technology will continue to remain at the helm of sustainable coworking spaces, especially after the pandemic, that caused an increased dependence on tech. Coworking space providers are now actively adopting data-driven strategies to improve the quality of their services. From implementing smart LED lighting, sensor analytics, and parametric modeling to fine-tune space designs to applying data-driven decisions to design elements such as glass curtain wall detailing, natural daylighting strategies, prefabrications, and raw material procurement, technology will be pivotal in making a workspace sustainable.
The process of creating a sustainable workspace is long and continuous. It involves innovating, creative decision-making, and incorporating practices that benefit all the stakeholders including coworking players, occupiers, investors, governing bodies, and future generations equally. From the initial architectural design to day-to-day business operations, there is a broad scope for offices to go green. By unifying the application of eco-friendly raw materials, zero-waste facilities, new technology, and community participation, sustainable coworking spaces are destined to create a positive environmental impact in the coming years.
