Your business premises reflect your company’s values; the building you operate from indicates to customers, clients and your staff what is important to you, the company and your brand.
Your accommodation is not just space. It provides a particular environment with its construction and layout that affects the wellbeing of everyone in it. Therefore, a sustainable operating space that meets a high environmental criteria is always attractive.
Did you know that more than one third of local authorities in the UK have formally recognised the serious risks to people’s lives, property and infrastructure from global warming and have declared a climate emergency? Businesses and individuals are conscious of greenhouse gas emissions and their impact on the climate.
Project a real sense of investment in staff and customers with premises that meet high environmental criteria. If, for example, you have electrical vehicle (EV) charging options, customers arriving at your site will find they can charge their car, and are more likely to choose your organisation again. Solar panels on the roof, or an adjacent wind turbine provide tangible, positive PR, evidencing your company’s focus on green issues and social responsibility. Differentiate your company with high environmental credentials.
The opportunity is here to decarbonise all the power required to run your lighting, heating and cooling, computers and machinery, as well as power your fleet vehicles. Options such as solar panels, wind turbines and maybe an on-site renewable energy system that incorporates battery storage with ground source heat pumps are available. These options are not only green, but can offer a reliable power source at a set cost, competitively priced compared to the National Grid.
Create a positive space! Look to sustainable, environmentally friendly materials with reclaimed wood, high levels of insulation for energy efficient heating and cooling – what about smart lighting, rainwater harvesting or incorporate recycled furniture.
Offer built in bicycle storage to facilitate cycling to work, on-site composting and plenty of indoor and outdoor plants too. All these elements are great for your company’s green credentials but also, just feel better. Environmentally-friendly spaces, created to be adaptable in terms of operational or lettable area with amenities and welfare facilities that offer the possibility to share with other occupiers and flexible length of lease, all make space economical and ‘future-proof’.
While a small business isn’t legally required to have an Environmental, Social, Governance – (ESG) policy, these standards have an impact on your clients and supply chain, so think about developing one. Monitoring your energy and carbon will build trust in your company’s ethics. By demonstrating an increased commitment to sustainability, and the company’s responsible business practices, you will enhance your credibility and can show off your credentials through your website and social media.
Sustainable, 100% electric, business premises reduce consumption of scarce resources and help occupiers manage their carbon footprint. Attract staff with wellness facilities, for example showers and bike storage. Offer a healthy and comfortable space for staff and customers. Do you want to attract new staff and clients? Appeal to younger generations who are increasingly ‘green-conscious’ – be a business mindful of your carbon footprint and offer a positive company impact.
Our expert team can help decarbonise your premises, lower emissions and your energy bill. Use your empty roof to power your building with sustainable, adaptable solar power, with flexible financing terms.