Sustainability in the office

Sustainability issues are now a large intricate part of an Workplace Relocation process. Sustainability is mainly driven by cooperation’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy.

The accreditations ‘BREEAM’ and ‘SKA’ are the industries’ leading design and assessment methods and certifications processes.  They are used for sustainable buildings and are widely used and referenced by property agents, landlords, building owners and occupiers.

BREEAM is the world’s foremost environmental assessment method and rating system for buildings. BREEAM sets the standard for best practice in sustainable building design, construction and operation and has become one of the most comprehensive and widely recognised measures of a building’s environmental performance. It encourages designers, clients and others to think about low carbon and low impact design, minimising the energy demands created by a building before considering energy efficiency and low carbon technologies.

SKA rating is an environmental assessment method, benchmark and standard for non-domestic fit-outs, led and owned by RICS. SKA rating helps landlords and tenants assess fit-out projects against a set of sustainability good practice criteria.

If sustainability is close to your organisation’s core values then it’s important to consider your requirements throughout your workplace relocation process. It begins with the building selection process but should also be considered as a part of the fit out and move process.

As well as being responsible about the effect you have on the environment, the advantages to a sustainable office include- increased productivity, reduced energy costs, a more efficient workplace.

A model sustainable office should be sensitive to the environment and its affect it will have. This includes energy and water consumption, equipment quality and long term energy efficiencies. Additionally it also includes building materials, waste management and furniture quality standard.