Thu. Mar 28th, 2024

Although nearly half of Brits admit to being greener at home than they are at work, more and more British workers realise the importance of green habits, according to research found by Instant Offices.

What is ‘going green’ and how will businesses benefit?

Employers are looking for ways to incorporate more eco-friendliness into the office, and the green trend is growing steadily. ‘Going green’ has the potential to positively impact the environment, the resources, and employee wellbeing.

A UK Green Building Council report explored the benefits for businesses taking steps towards becoming greener and uncovered the following:

  1. Businesses that are actively managing their carbon emissions enjoy 18% higher return on investment than companies that are not doing so.
  2. Businesses that take proactive steps to promote employee wellness can improve their financial performance by up to 10% and reduce sick days by 27%.
  3. Increasing natural spaces can increase property and land values by as much as 25%.

4 eco-trends to benefit employees and the environment

  1. Green Roofs & Gardens: Introducing intensive green roof/gardens will keep its practical benefits such as reducing energy usage and costs while additionally serving as an attractive location providing an area for rest and relaxation, suitable for meetings and staff breaks.
  2. Banning Single-Use Plastic: The UK Government announced banning single-use plastics such as plastic straws, drink stirrers and cotton buds in April 2020 to stem the flow of waste and promote the use of recyclable materials. One example is a Sheffield based company Intelligent Hand Dryers who have issued a ban on all single-use plastics from its offices, including disposable coffee cups with an inner plastic lining, water bottles and sandwich packets with plastic windows to encourage a green environment.
  3. Use of Renewable Energy Sources: Most renewable energy sources such as Solar panels produce little to no global warming emissions. Increasing the supply of renewable energy aims to replace carbon-intensive energy sources and significantly help reduce global warming emissions.
  4. Net Zero Buildings: A zero-energy building, also known as a net-zero building, is one with zero net energy consumption, meaning the total amount of energy it uses annually is the same as the amount of renewable energy created on the site. In London, all new buildings are set to be net zero carbon by 2030, as the UK strives to meet targets set by the Paris Climate Agreement.

This is all part of a larger drive to help the UK to reach a ‘net-zero’ climate goal by 2050, and businesses can help to lead the way by instituting greener practices that are bound to attract millennial and Gen Z workers.

By Editor