10 Practical Tips for Creating a Sustainable Office

Can you honestly say you have a sustainable office?

As the global focus on sustainability intensifies, businesses actively seek ways to reduce their environmental impact. We want to share ten practical tips on creating a sustainable office to help you achieve a greener workplace.

An office is no longer just a functional and comfortable space where employees can work together towards a common goal. As the global focus on sustainability intensifies, businesses must now actively seek ways to create a holistic environment that supports the well-being of employees while also meeting the demands of a sustainable future.

How we heat and cool our buildings, the lighting we choose, and the devices and appliances we use all contribute to our energy footprint.

How to calculate your energy footprint

The first step towards a greener office is to monitor your current energy footprint from meter readings or your energy bills. The WWF.UK has published a helpful guide on how to do this.

To calculate your emissions, you will need to know the floor area of your office space or building, too. Start with your consumption (monthly, quarterly, or annually) in kWh (kilowatt-hours), then divide this by your floor area to obtain kWh/m² (kilowatt-hours per square metre). Next, multiply this by the Defra carbon conversion factor for that form of energy4. This will generate your footprint in kilograms of CO₂e/m² (kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions equivalent per square metre). Divide by 1,000 to give your footprint in tonnes of CO₂e/m².

You can also use energy bills to work out the total amount you spend on energy in the month, quarter or year, and even by member of staff. You can use this information to support the case for projects and investments that will save energy.

Manage and monitor your energy savings.

Set an energy consumption reduction target and use energy benchmarks to see whether you are performing efficiently.

Utilise an energy management system (BEMS) to monitor and control your building’s energy needs. This includes the management of heating, ventilation, and cooling (HVAC), lighting, security measures, and electric vehicle (EV) charging needs.

Get the whole team onboard.

“According to a survey by BusinessDasher, 92% of consumers trust brands that are socially responsible or environmentally friendly.”

If you are serious about sustainability within your organisation, you will need to get your whole team on board. Share your sustainability targets and encourage staff to participate in recycling efforts. Consider incentives for electric vehicle charging stations and offer discounts for the use of eco-friendly products.

Creating an eco-friendly working environment not only means having happy and productive staff, but it will also have a positive impact on your customers.

How to create a sustainable office

1. Embrace Renewable Energy: Consider transitioning your office to renewable energy sources like solar or wind power to reduce your carbon footprint significantly.
2. Optimise Energy Usage: Creating a sustainable workplace involves implementing systems for regulated and optimised energy consumption, ensuring efficiency, reducing waste, and lowering operational costs. As a leader in sustainable solutions, Emissis has successfully provided Voltage Optimisation (VO) to numerous offices, effectively reducing carbon emissions and enhancing energy efficiency.
3. Prioritise Sustainable Procurement: Develop a sustainable procurement policy prioritising energy-efficient office equipment. Integrate innovative solutions into your purchasing decisions, creating a unified strategy for energy conservation.
4. Choose Responsible Paper Sourcing: Demonstrate commitment to sustainable sourcing by opting for deforestation-free paper. This establishes an environmentally conscious workplace.
5. Set Reduction Targets with Data: Use data from energy management systems to measure your office’s energy consumption accurately. Establish ambitious reduction targets, focusing on minimising energy wastage.
6. Reduce Single-Use Plastics: Reduce single-use plastics across your office. Minimise energy usage, fostering a holistic and sustainable approach.
7. Showcase Environmental Commitment: Seek certifications to showcase your organisation’s dedication to sustainable practices. Highlight your commitment to environmental responsibility within your operations.
8. Adopt a Life-Cycle Approach: Choose products built to last and adopt a life-cycle thinking approach when selecting office equipment—Maximise device longevity to contribute to a sustainable office environment.
9. Embrace Digital Processes: Encourage a digital-first approach to reduce paper consumption—leverage technology to streamline digital processes, minimising environmental impact.
10. Offset Carbon Footprint Responsibly: Offset unavoidable carbon emissions by investing in certified projects. Showcase a holistic commitment to sustainability.

Guaranteed energy savings

Emissis has installed energy-effective solutions in offices worldwide, providing innovative solutions that are proven to reduce carbon emissions and enhance energy efficiency effectively.

If you’re on a sustainable journey, contact one of our experts to learn how we can help you create a greener workspace.