How the net zero office can drive your business forward
In this article, we outline what a net zero office might look like. We also explain how businesses can improve the workplace experience by putting their people at the heart of the transition.
In this article, we outline what a net zero office might look like. We also explain how businesses can improve the workplace experience by putting their people at the heart of the transition.
UK workers are getting sustainability savvy. This creates an opportunity for companies to operationalise their climate commitments with the help of highly engaged employees.In turn, pursuing a net zero office and embracing sustainability can actively drive employee engagement by meeting the rising expectations of the modern workforce.
By moving to sustainable infrastructure, empowering employees through education and incentives and fostering a culture of transparency and collaboration, companies can contribute to a healthier planet while driving long-term success.
Our recent Work Experience Tracker survey conducted with YouGov showed that 90% of UK private sector workers expect their employer to operate sustainably. The ‘green’ agenda clearly matters to the modern workforce but ambitious commitments are no longer enough. People increasingly demand the proof behind the promises.
Gen Z in particular wants more than vague targets. They want to see action on the ground and to understand the data in depth. We know that’s true, because we serve one million meals a day and our guests keep asking questions.
Take single-use vs reusable cups. Before they switch, people want to know how many times the reusable cup needs reusing before the impact on nature reduces. And they have a growing appetite for food that’s carbon-labelled as well as food that supports their wellbeing.
This curiosity offers a number of benefits for companies looking to decarbonise. From our Work Experience Tracker, we know that workers’ top three sustainability expectations are responsible waste management, reductions in plastic usage and sensible energy consumption. Doing all three things well can cut costs as well as carbon. Reducing food waste in particular will be critical, because it’s responsible for around 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
To deliver the biggest benefits to their people and the planet, companies need solid net zero transition plans that normalise emissions reduction activity. So what might a net zero workplace look like?
The net zero office represents a transformative vision that goes beyond mere environmental commitments.
The net zero office can be split broadly between back office functions and employee-facing services. In the back office, it could mean:
For employees, it could mean:
The integration of sustainable practices within the workplace fosters a sense of purpose, pride and engagement. It demonstrates a company's commitment to environmental responsibility and aligns with the values and expectations of the modern workforce, particularly sustainability-conscious Gen Z. In turn, engaged employees are more likely to actively participate in sustainability initiatives, driving the success of the company's net zero journey.
As with all business goals, creating a net zero workplace will require a solid strategy and strong governance. These attributes will make emissions considerations part of everyday decision-making. They will also enable capture of the data that’s needed to drive and report progress.
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The speed of change will depend on the starting point, but it’s clear that the shift to net zero workplaces will need the support of supply chains, clients and employees. And it’s a shift that needn’t compete with other business priorities, because there's a clear link between sustainable operations, employee satisfaction and business success.
Resilient supply chains, for example, need a clear sense of direction. Which is why our recent ‘Partners with Purpose’ supplier event set out our expectations around sustainability, with some added breathing space for SMEs. We know from our clients that there’s now greater pressure from investors to demonstrate that climate targets are deliverable. And we know that visible action on climate change is getting more and more important for recruitment and retention.
Companies aiming for a net zero workplace can take action straight away just by looking at their data. This involves reviewing all the sources, finding the gaps and making a plan to get the insight that’s missing. In the following six months, the focus can move to governance, including setting a strategy that inspires and working with suppliers to develop shared ambitions and plans.
Then in one year’s time, the focus can shift to full implementation. This is about embedding sustainability into standard operating practices, for example nudging people towards climate-friendly options and building the right metrics into supplier contracts.
Moving forward, companies can continue to build a net zero culture by reporting progress openly, celebrating success and exploring opportunities for wider collaboration and leadership.
The net zero workplace can offer an employee experience that exceeds expectations on sustainability. One that speaks to growing concern about the urgency of climate change, particularly among Gen Z, and one that takes full advantage of people’s willingness to consider lower-carbon choices.
The emission reductions that UK plc will need to make can’t be delivered overnight. Cutting meat from menus, for example, would slash the carbon footprint hugely but it’s not something that people are ready for.
The net zero office represents a transformative vision that goes beyond mere environmental commitments. It signifies a profound shift towards a more sustainable future where businesses thrive, employees thrive and the planet thrives. The time to take action is now, and together, we can build a net zero future that benefits us all.