April 12, 2022

Sustainable office design relies on everybody sharing knowledge

by Harsha Kotak • Comment, Environment, Workplace design

Back in 2018, I launched a group called Women in Office Design. I wanted to inspire and empower women involved in the profession of office design and creation. The opportunity to develop and enhance my skills and understanding was a fundamental reason why I formed WOD. Reading and research is beneficial but it’s important to take the time to reach out to others in the industry, especially on the most important issues of our day such as sustainable office design. More →

March 22, 2022

The sustainable product lifecycle starts with a single step

by Joanna Knight • Comment, Environment

Environmental responsibility is challenging and often conflicts with short term goals. In the July 2021 issue of IN magazine, I asked environmental campaigner, sustainability and wellbeing consultant, Georgia Elliot-Smith about the issue of the proliferation of Perspex screens designed to reduce transmission of the Covid-19 virus in the workplace – all made from virgin materials. Whilst some argue that we are likely to need them again over the winter months, the ‘end of useful life’ of the screens is approaching and, inevitably, more general questions raised about the product lifecycle. More →

March 2, 2022

Sustainability doesn’t have to depend on high-tech solutions

by Chris McMahon • Architecture, Environment, Features, Technology

It’s a popular idea that the path to sustainability lies in high-tech solutions. By making everyday items like cars electric, and installing smart systems to monitor and reduce energy use, it seems we’ll still be able to enjoy the comforts to which we’ve become accustomed while doing our bit for the planet – a state known as “green growth”. But the risks of this approach are becoming ever clearer. Many modern technologies use materials like copper, cobalt, lithium and rare earth elements. These metals are in devices like cell phones, televisions and motors. Not only is their supply finite, but large amounts of energy are required for their extraction and processing – producing significant emissions. More →

March 2, 2022

Quarter of young people don’t want to work for firms with unsustainable practices

by Neil Franklin • Environment, News

Almost a quarter (24 percent) of Gen Z employees (18 to 24-year-olds) would not work at a business that profits from unsustainable practices, according to a a new poll from PLAY. Among British employees more broadly, two-thirds surveyed (68 percent) felt it was important for the company they work for to be committed to acting sustainably, and nearly half (44 percent) want businesses to demonstrate the initiatives or goals that will make the entire business more sustainable (not just one part of the business). However, pay remains the most attractive job feature for most surveyed, inlcuding young people. More →

January 27, 2022

Firms that invest in sustainability are more resilient, research claims

by Jayne Smith • Business, News

Investing in sustainability increases the resilience of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) because they become more creditworthy, according to new research conducted by Vlerick Business School and commissioned by ABN AMRO. Although large companies are under scrutiny from regulators, consumers and the media to become more sustainable, the sustainability transition is unachievable without the involvement of SMEs. Especially since SMEs constitute more than 60 percent of the value-adding economic fabric in Europe. More →

December 6, 2021

We must wake up to the realities of workplace sustainability

by Oliver Cripps • Comment, Environment, Workplace design

Sustainability has been steadily moving up the business agenda over the past few years, with COP26 placing more emphasis on the need for organisations to demonstrate that their operations are sustainable and lessening their overall impact on the planet. Many businesses may feel daunted by the challenges ahead, and there are certainly big steps that need to be taken in order to reduce corporate carbon footprints and move to more sustainable models. More →

November 18, 2021

Time to stop playing around with the issue of workplace sustainability

by Joanna Knight • Environment, Facilities management, Features, Workplace design

The so-called green agenda, sustainability and climate change have finally hit centre stage. Various announcements are being made by UK Government and numerous high profile figures are crying a call to action to implement carbon reduction plans now. Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alderman William Russell, stated at the Annual Lord Mayor Gresham Lecture early in 2021: “Climate change is a bigger threat to the world than COVID-19.” He called on the financial and professional services sector to take urgent action to tackle climate change and ensure sustainability is at the heart of every financial decision. More →

November 17, 2021

Post-pandemic surge in demand for sustainable business travel

by Jayne Smith • Environment, News

New research from Trainline Partner Solutions (TPS) claims Covid-19 will usher in a new era of sustainable business travel. The vast majority of business travellers (75 percent) want to reduce their reliance on air travel for business because of the impact it has on the environment. More →

November 11, 2021

Commercial property markets in major UK cities won’t meet sustainability targets

by Neil Franklin • Environment, News, Property

Six of the UK’s key regional economic centres risk not achieving their net zero targets, unless significant action is taken to upgrade and improve their commercial property in the next 10 years, according to new analysis by JLL. The report, Sustainability and Value in the Regions, suggests that 90 percent of the office stock in England and Wales’ largest regional office markets is at risk of not meeting the UK government’s target for all non-domestic properties to have an EPC B rating by 2030. These findings come at a time when three of the cities analysed – Birmingham, Bristol (pictured) and Cardiff – have committed to achieving net zero status by 2030. Leeds and Manchester, both aim to be net zero by 2038. More →

November 11, 2021

HDR is providing engineering expertise on one of London’s most sustainable, all-electric office buildings

by Freddie Steele • Company news, Environment

Holbein Gardens, located at 7 Holbein Place in the heart of London’s Belgravia, will lead the way for future schemes on the road to achieving net zero carbon. Independent multidisciplinary engineering consultancy HDR has been commissioned by property business Grosvenor Britain & Ireland to provide engineering services on Holbein Gardens, a new office scheme located in the heart of Belgravia. More →

November 8, 2021

Why real estate businesses can’t afford not to invest in sustainability

by Jayne Smith • Environment, News

The World Green Building Council (WorldGBC), a global network accelerating sustainability and decarbonisation in the building and construction sector, has set out the updated value proposition to drive investment in a sustainable built environment by launching a new flagship report ‘Beyond the Business Case’ at COP26 in Glasgow. More →

October 27, 2021

EU to boost sustainable growth of Europe’s cultural and creative sectors

by Neil Franklin • Cities, Environment, News

The European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT) has announced a new innovation partnership, in the form of a Knowledge and Innovation Community, to support the competitiveness and sustainable growth of Europe’s cultural and creative sectors and industries. The new partnership plans to help accelerate these sectors’ recovery and unlock untapped economic opportunities in the fields of architecture, cultural heritage, design, fashion, film, music, publishing, performing arts and video games. More →