A CSR approach to managing the real estate of the workplace can make big improvements to a company's performance, says Michael Creamer, head of client solutions, EMEA, at Cushman & Wakefield
Buildings are the biggest polluter out there. Energy use in real estate accounts for more than 40% of Europe's CO2 emissions. But now that many companies have a CSR or sustainability policy defining their response to climate change and setting out what they are doing to minimise their negative impacts, the corporate real estate (CRE) team is given an irrevocable licence to go out there and do something. The real-estate sector thus has a chance to lead the field. Yet many CRE teams are nowhere near ready.
The CSR approach does not have to be more expensive but needs to be thought through. More efficient use of space, a careful choice of office equipment and new policies can have a real impact on the carbon footprint of the workplace. With an increased awareness of the issues and the prospect of shareholder backlash, it will soon become unacceptable to many corporates to occupy buildings that, from a CSR standpoint, fail to offer for the life of their lease certain features. Our guidelines - the three Es of good environmental behaviour - should help you to maintain a sustainability policy at all points in the life of a lease.
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