Achieving sustainability: Worka Made's blueprint for net zero offices

Achieving net zero carbon emissions is a daunting yet essential task for the future of our planet. Buildings are responsible for nearly 39% of global carbon emissions, split between operational emissions (28%) and embodied emissions (11%). Read on to find out more about the challenges and solutions in reducing these emissions and how the building sector can contribute to a sustainable future.

Understanding carbon emissions

Carbon emissions are classified into three scopes:

Scope 1: Direct emissions from owned sources like heating and company vehicles.
Scope 2: Indirect emissions from the generation of purchased electricity.
Scope 3: All other indirect emissions in a company’s value chain, often the largest share.

While companies traditionally focus on reducing Scope 1 and 2 emissions due to ease of measurement and control, attention is shifting to Scope 3 emissions, which include supply chain impacts and are more challenging to address.

Corporate targets and legislation

Voluntary corporate targets for emission reductions are aligning with international climate agreements, like the Paris Agreement, and are often verified by initiatives like the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi). These targets emphasize near-term reductions for Scopes 1 and 2 by 2030 and long-term reductions for Scope 3 by 2050. Additionally, larger companies must comply with regulations like the UK's Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) and the EU's Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD).

Challenges and solutions in real estate

The landlord-tenant relationship in real estate poses a significant challenge for reducing emissions. Traditional commercial agreements often result in landlords and tenants lacking incentives to reduce their carbon footprint. Key issues include:

Data sharing: Poor sharing of energy consumption data.
Service charges: Lack of transparency in how service charges, including utilities, are calculated.
Sustainability goals: Misalignment between landlords' and tenants' sustainability goals.

Worka Made's net zero strategy

Worka Made addresses these challenges by integrating sustainability into every step of office management. The Core net zero product ensures:

No fossil-fuel-based heating.
Renewable electricity supply where feasible.
Efficient design and engineering.
Adherence to an environmental management system aligned with ISO 14001.
Over 95% of end-of-lease materials are reused, repurposed, or recycled.

Conclusion

Sustainability in office management is complex, involving multiple stakeholders and varying market conditions. Success hinges on effective control and communication. By treating sustainability as a core business activity, Worka Made demonstrates how to achieve net zero in the office sector.

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