1 / 12

Workspace Group PLC

Workspace Group PLC. THE BUSINESS CASE FOR SUSTAINABILITY Matthew James Research & Sustainability Manager For Knowledge London Thursday, 27 th September 2007. www.workspacegroup.co.uk/sustainability. About Workspace Group. Flexible, affordable, workspace to let throughout London

alexandria-anagnos
Download Presentation

Workspace Group PLC

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Workspace Group PLC THE BUSINESS CASE FOR SUSTAINABILITY Matthew James Research & Sustainability ManagerFor Knowledge LondonThursday, 27th September 2007 www.workspacegroup.co.uk/sustainability

  2. About Workspace Group • Flexible, affordable, workspace to let throughout London • London’s leading space provider to SMEs • Own & manage 100+ business centres in London with 4,000 customers • Buy estates & extract value by refurbishing, re-using or extending • A core value is to be the first point of contact • Customer focused & have a sustainable business model

  3. Our properties

  4. Our customers • The typical Workspace customer: • operates in creative industries/professional services (knowledge economy) • employs less than 10 people (50% employ less than 4) • been in current unit less than 2 years buttrading for 5+ • occupies 1,100 sq ft & pays an average rent c. £12,000 pa • describes their business as “going for growth” • considers Workspace to offer “value for money”BUT, “typical” doesn’t exist!

  5. Sustainability “Sustainability is about more than just recycling!” • Sociale.g. volunteering, community involvement • Environmentale.g. waste management, green travel • Economice.g. sustainable financial returns • Climate changee.g. reducing CO2 emissions

  6. Why is it important? “We believe the case for sustainability is as simpleas it is compelling: it makes good business sense.” • Understanding impacts • Assessing risk • Identifying opportunities • Encouraging positive change • Addressing stakeholders’ needs • Sustainable model for growth

  7. Making the case “We have responsibilities to our stakeholders and the environment.Being sustainable is about managing these responsibilities” • Reducing costse.g. reducing resource consumption, waste • Brandinge.g. Plan A (M&S) Blue & Yellow Make Green (Workspace) • Stakeholder demandse.g. customers, investors, staff, suppliers • Policy & legislatione.g. EPCs, building regulations • Local impacte.g. creating wealth, employment, etc

  8. Understanding the relationship “Creating a sustainable business model that addresses ourresponsibilities and can deliver sustained growth” • 3rd Dimension (PMA/Upstream) • Observer article (Co-operative Investment Services) • Carbon Disclosure Project • Business In The Community (CR Index) • EIRIS (Ethical Investment)

  9. Our customers & Us “We are property owners, not occupiers. Neither are wesustainability experts. Partnerships are the key” • Best Foot ForwardEcological footprint – direct and indirect impacts • Kingston UniversityCustomer research – customers want help from landlord • Carbon Trust5-year Carbon Management Plan • EnvirowiseWaste & energy reduction – customer engagement pilots • London Better TogetherMaking London a better place to do business – customers, suppliers

  10. Knowledge Transfer Partnership KTP Program with Kingston University – James Dixon-Gough • Meteringunderstand metering - problems and opportunitiesuse energy data to target reduction • Customer EngagementCustomer engagement – addressing “indirect” impactsPartnerships with specialist orgs. to encourage change • Fabric & RefurbishmentStructural improvementsRefurbishment materials checklist

  11. The story of our year A coherent strategy – customer focused engagement 2006 The London Plan – used as an external frame of referenceStern Report states economic impact of climate change Best Foot Forward calculates ecological footprint for WSG – reveals discrepancy between “direct” and “indirect” impactsCarbon Trust help WSG to develop 5 year Carbon Management PlanKingston University conduct research into “green” attitudes of customers – reveals SME customers want to do more and want help from landlord Staff survey carried out to understand employees perceptions of WSGBlue & Yellow Make Green campaign launched “Green Days” with Thames Water, Envirowise & Carbon Trust held across WSG centres… 2007 2008

  12. Questions • How can we better understand the relationship between sustainability and business performance? • Can we calculate its value? • How can universities assist businesses in improving sustainable practices? • How can universities access businesses? • Do businesses communicate sustainability performance in the right way? • And to the right people?

More Related