THE GREEN OFFICE
THE FUTURE IS GREEN FOR SUSTAINABLE OFFICE SPACES
he way in which companies operate is rapidly changing and with global warming always hitting the headlines, sustainable offices that were once viewed as a fashion or fad are now seen as a must. Companies are feeling the political and economical pressures to comply with environmental issues and the US Department of Energy states that 40 per cent of energy consumption can be attributed to buildings. To address these issues, making buildings and offices sustainable is something businesses need to explore in greater depth and many are missing a trick.
T
There are vast arrays of reasons why businesses are looking to create sustainable office spaces. Green designs both of buildings and products can reduce energy and save companies a considerable amount of money whilst increasing efficiencies. There is no doubt that sustainable offices are the future and advancements in technology are now making it easier for companies to create this type of working environment. Building Research Establishment figures show that heating, lighting and ventilation in office buildings can account for 50 per cent of the UK’s 153 million tonnes of CO2
. The problem that occurs with
environmental issues in office spaces is that it is always someone else’s responsibility. This view is changing, not just amongst employers who are experiencing the detrimental financial implications of mass office space/equipment but amongst their employees too. Technology is one of the biggest culprits for high emissions in the office space. Earlier this year, leading communications and hosted IT solutions company, Outsourcery, has become the first software-as-a-service (SaaS) provider in the UK to offer carbon neutral IT. In addition Outsourcery’s central
London headquarters is an ‘eco building’. The building harnesses natural energy sources via a solar water heating roof and photovoltaic electricity generating panels. Energy level demands have been reduced through the use of ‘high performance’ window glazing to maximise natural light and PIR sensors to reduce unnecessary lighting when space is unoccupied. The office has rainwater and grey water recycling systems, pulsed output water
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meters, and a ‘brown roof’ (providing bat boxes for a neighbouring park) to incorporate bio diversity. Piers Linney, joint Chief Executive Officer at Outsourcery, said, “After the launch of Outsourcery’s new company values last year, we felt that it was important that we became carbon neutral as soon as possible. As a direct result, we are now in the unique position of offering carbon-neutral communications and hosted IT solutions.” He goes on to add, “Increasingly, many businesses want to do their bit for the environment and have put in place business policies covering global warming and the associated Corporate Social Responsibility.”
Green buildings are not the only investment companies can make to advance further towards sustainability and technology advancements are allowing companies the means with which to create sustainable offices. Consequently, there is no longer an excuse for companies to waste time, energy and money in the work place. There are a number of products now available which allow companies to control how much energy a single organisation may waste, one of which is known as PC Power Down, supplied by Qubic group. PC Power Down comprises scheduling software that lets an administrator control the switching on and off of a variety of equipment including; computers, printers, photocopiers, overhead projectors, water coolers, in fact just about any type of electrical equipment. In many large organisations, many items of electrical equipment are left switched on when not required overnight or at the weekend. This equipment is unnecessarily consuming electricity and is responsible for the consequential carbon dioxide emissions associated with the electricity generation. Dr Jonathan Moffett of the Ashmolean Museum, which uses PC Power Down said: “Computers were frequently left on day and night and even over the weekends and understanding that a single PC can waste as much as £50 per year and be responsible for a quarter tonne of CO2
if
left on is quite shocking. Typically in an educational establishment or public space it is often unclear who should be switching off equipment and we needed something that would address this issue. PC Power Down delivers value by providing tangible evidence of cost savings that can be
factored into the overall objectives, while it also off-loads ‘carbon guilt’ to an automated managed platform.” Chris Papa, managing director for specialist Communications Company Qubic Group plc said, “At a time where businesses are still feeling the effects of the recession, financial pressures have highlighted the need for companies to make their offices sustainable in an effort to cut costs as well as becoming environmentally friendly. Products like PC Power Down are one way in which companies can introduce sustainability into their office, even if this is all companies introduce at first, this will point companies in the right direction and encourage this way of working into the company culture.”
WHAT IS THE FUTURE FOR SUSTAINABLE OFFICES?
The modern way in which we work is not necessarily having an office or having dedicated meeting rooms but having access to the right kind of facility needed to get the work done. This could mean a desk, a resource area, or a touchdown space. This mobile trend has been increasing in recent months, with companies now down-sizing, allowing employees to work from home or from a remote location, therefore limiting the need for offices at all.
Linney of Outsourcery added:
“Technology is advancing at a phenomenal rate. Many companies have realised that in actual fact, Cloud technologies provide companies with the opportunity to let their staff work at home or from remote locations, removing the need for large office spaces. For companies to ignore these advancements could be catastrophic to the running of their business.”
While the trend of sustainable offices looks to continue long in the years to come, some are predicting the abolishment of offices altogether. As the enabling technology becomes available more and more companies are now implementing remote working solutions, whereby employees are able to work from home or a remote location without having to come into the office at all. The end result of all this is a distinct possibility that office buildings will become a thing of the past. For further information please contact:
amy@flamepr.com
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