How the net zero office can drive your business forward 

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.

Employees expect more

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.

Planning the transition

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.

What the net zero office could look like

The net zero office can be split broadly between back office functions and employee-facing services. In the back office, it could mean:

• Using sensors and sub-metering to provide granular data on energy use. This empowers employees to understand their impact and make conscious choices. 
• Optimising building energy management systems to create the right environment in different zones. This demonstrates a commitment to employee well-being and fosters a sense of pride in a sustainable workplace. 
• Preventing food waste using a management systems like WasteWatch, and redistributing what remains. This encourages employees to actively participate in responsible waste practices, creating a sense of shared responsibility for the environment. 
• Segregating consumer waste to avoid landfill wherever possible, which is particularly important for food waste. 
• Considering on-site power generation if feasible.

For employees, it could mean: 

• Enjoying food that’s seasonal, locally sourced and plant-forward. This not only reduces the carbon footprint associated with food production and transportation but also promotes employee health and well-being. 
• Switching to reusable cups and refillable drinks. This simple change helps to reduce single-use plastics and empowers employees to make sustainable choices. 
• Finding clear signage and eco-labelling on bins, stationery, printers and meals. This educates employees on the carbon emissions resulting from everyday actions.
• Seeing more information on the environmental impact of the building and their choices. This encourages employees to actively participate in sustainable practices. 
• Being incentivised to commute differently by being active, using public transport or choosing electric vehicles. This not only reduces carbon emissions but also promotes employee well-being. 

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.

You may also like: Reimagining Workplaces for a Sustainable and Inclusive Future

Collaborating through the transition

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.

Taking action at the right time

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.

Better workplaces for people and planet

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.