Why Businesses Must Go Green – or Be Left in the Dust
Forbes recently highlighted a sizzling trend set to dominate 2024: customers will judge a company by how seriously it bets on reducing its environmental footprint. In plain terms, it’s a fast‑track ticket to staying relevant and attracting savvy shoppers.
What’s the Bottom Line?
- New & Innovative – Standard solutions just won’t cut it. Businesses need fresh, game‑changing tactics to ramp up sustainability.
- Action Over Talk – Time to turn “talk” into tangible, everyday wins.
- Saving Money & Energy – Green initiatives are no drain on the budget; they’re a budget‑friendly win.
Sonal Jain: The Green Guru at Workspace
Head of Sustainability at Workspace, Sonal Jain, spills the beans on how a 5‑million‑sq‑ft empire spanning 76 sites in London and the Southeast is turning everyday office life into a green powerhouse.
Key Moves – Sonal’s “Everyday Actions”
- Eco‑First Construction – Buildings start life as green stars, not after‑thought add‑ons.
- Smart Kits – Pro‑level setups that slash energy use before a single desk is occupied.
- Customer Collaboration – Workspace invites clients to co‑drive energy reductions and waste cuts.
- Cost‑Effective Cheer – Green upgrades that also mean less money in the bottom line.
Sonal jots it nicely: “As a provider of high‑quality sustainable workspace, our duty is to craft buildings with the right green kit in place, then let our customers join us in cutting energy usage and waste.”
Takeaway for Business
In sum, the path to staying competitive is all about bold, practically focused green moves. It’s not just about pretty labels – it’s about building, powering, and running operations that actually shave off tonnes of carbon, zero in on savings, and keep the brand standing out in the eco‑first marketplace.
We’re Going Green in 2030
Picture this: a fleet of assets that sparkle with the latest upgrades, each one humming on pure eletric power. That’s our vision for 2030, and we’re already on the road.
What’s on the agenda?
- Upgrade and electrify. We’re giving every asset a cutting‑edge makeover, turning old‑school gear into sleek, electric machines.
- 100% clean energy. Our goal is simple—every watt we use will come from high‑quality renewable sources. Think wind, solar, and all that good green stuff.
Every day we’re inching closer to that green horizon. Stay tuned as we power forward to a zero‑carbon future.
Invest in the right equipment to future proof your space
Crafting a Green Workspace: The First Step
Before you can rally your team around sustainability, you’ve got to make sure the place you’re working in actually supports your eco‑friendly ambitions.
Why Space Matters
Think of your office like a living, breathing organism. If the environment is misaligned with your green goals, it’s hard for anyone to achieve them. That’s why the first task is to personalize your setting so it’s a natural fit for sustainable practices.
How Workspace Handles It
- Lights? Covered. No need to switch to the dyes of June.
- Air‑con? Sorted. Say goodbye to temperature chaos and hello to comfort.
- No extra fit‑outs for tenants. Unlike the usual landlords who let you build your castle from scratch, Workspace supplies the core gear.
What That Means for You
With the fundamental infrastructure already in place, you’re not just saving the planet—you’re also setting the stage for a smoother, more efficient experience. From there you can dive into engaging your colleagues, learning efficient ways to use the space, and turning those green intentions into daily habits.
Hybrid working patterns call for new technology to detect when offices are empty
Bright Ideas for Cooling Your Hybrid Office
Why Smart Sensors Are the New Superheroes
If you’re still fighting the lights and AC that stay on when no one’s around, it’s time to bring in the tech of the 2020s! Energy‑saving bulbs, motion detectors, and high‑efficiency heat pumps have joined forces to slash the electric bill and help the planet at the same time. Think of them as tiny, bright guardians that keep the space just right—no more, no less.
- Smart lighting. LED fixtures paired with absence‑detection sensors turn off as soon as the room empties. Your office will stop wasting juice on empty rooms.
- Automatic AC. If the controls miss a manual turn‑off, the system picks up the signal from the same motion sensors and shuts the air conditioning down automatically.
- High‑efficiency heat pumps. Say goodbye to clunky gas boilers—these pumps keep the office warm (or cool) with low energy consumption.
- Adapted to hybrid work. Few people at the office on Mondays and Fridays, and more during mid‑week? The controls respond to real usage patterns, so the space stays productive without blowing up the bill.
Key Takeaway
In today’s hybrid world, saving on electricity isn’t just about swapping out bulbs; it’s about smart, responsive systems that learn when to turn lights, fans, and heaters on and off. With the right setup, your team can focus on their work—and the planet—without being derailed by high energy costs. Who knew sustainability could be so easy, and a little bit fun too?
Gamify shared goals to bolster sustainability efforts
Making Green Living a Friendly Battle
Let’s face it – everyone’s on a tight schedule and people often shrug when asked to add extra steps for the sake of sustainability. That’s why we’re spice‑up the game with a little competition.
How It Works
- We’ve entered a couple of our buildings into the CUBE Energy Saving Competition.
- It pulls all the folks together – employees, customers, and tenants – into one big group effort.
- Instead of a silent, tedious makeover, we’re turning it into a whole‑building battle for better energy performance.
Sonal, our sustainability champion, says “Gamification really does the trick. By scoring points and tracking progress, it keeps people engaged, turns passive participation into active excitement, and drives real results in building energy use.”
So, in short: No more “Just do it” memo – we’re saying, “Come on, let’s beat the numbers together!” The thrill of competition brings people closer, helps break down the big task into bite‑sized wins, and—let’s be honest—makes sustainability a little more fun.
Engage and motivate employees with regular reports
Keeping the Momentum Alive: How Regular Updates Fuel Green Success
When folks see the real-time impact of their hard work—whether it’s cutting energy use, trimming waste, or slashing water consumption—they’re instantly motivated. The proof is in the numbers, and those numbers tell a story of tangible progress.
Why Updates Matter
- Clarity – Knowing exactly what the goal is keeps everyone focused.
- Achievement – Quick wins build confidence and momentum.
- Accountability – Transparent metrics let teams track where they stand.
Sonal’s Green‑Growth Toolkit
“We’ve got a couple of tricks up our sleeves to get folks on board with greener practices,” says Sonal. Her strategy is simple yet effective:
- Customer Newsletters – Every issue highlights energy, water, and waste stats, shares top‑notch green tips, and spotlights success stories.
- Sustainability Portal – This user‑friendly dashboard shows real‑time data for each building and allows tenants to compare their performance against neighbors.
In essence, it’s about giving people the tools to see their influence reflected in crisp, live numbers.
The Workspace Challenge
“With 40,000 customers to nudge toward greener habits, the changes will come slowly and inch by inch,” Sonal notes. “That’s why close collaboration with our customers is the secret sauce.” By working hand‑in‑hand, they’re setting realistic expectations and building trust.
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