With coworking in ever increasing demand, there is another reason these companies can feel good about their new and improved strategy. And that is the environment. More specifically, coworking may lead to a lower carbon footprint, among other benefits. Going green is a noble cause, but due to modern living, achieving this objective is often more difficult than it appears. The key to achieving this goal is to make things as simple as possible. So how is this possible?
The Positive Impact of Coworking
Decreased Commuting
Ditching the car
We all know that one of the best things we can do for the environment is to ditch the car and walk, cycle or take public transport instead. But it’s not always easy, especially if you live in a city and have to commute long distances. The good news is that coworking can help to reduce the number of cars on the road. With more and more people working remotely, there is less need for people to commute into city centres. This not only reduces congestion and pollution but also helps to ease pressure on public transport systems.
Plus with some locations being in walking distance to large sections of the population. It’s not just for the health of the environment, it’s for yours too!
Reducing use of public transport
Coworking also helps those bustling sardine-cans we call buses, trains and everything in-between. Public transport may help in decreasing the amount of cars on the road but buses aren’t exactly sleek, inconspicuous space-savers. Not to mention the fumes emitting from each of them…
Overcrowding in the likes of trains (either above or under ground) can cause a lot of stress when subjected to it day in day out. The rise of coworking leading to the decrease in public transport can have a positive impact on mental health along with the environmental and physical health benefits.
Say Watt?
Yes, we’re talking the amount of electric wattage here. Though it may not be obvious initially, coworking spaces provide electricity for a lot of flexible workers who work for different companies doing different things. Rather than each company utilising their own individual buildings and the electricity there in, the electricity is being shared within fewer buildings. They also often use LED bulbs which are more eco friendly, as well as light sensors to make sure lights are switch off when a space is not in use. These two factors help to conserve energy and in turn, help the environment.
Waste Not, Want Not
This is the age-old adage that still rings true today. By its very nature, coworking creates a community and with that comes a certain level of responsibility. It is easier to be sustainable when you are part of a group trying to achieve the same goal. This might manifest itself in things like recycling, using recycled materials and so on. Simply put, it’s easier to be green when you have friends trying to do the same thing.
Fewer Resources Used
As an individual, you probably don’t use that many resources. But when you work in an office with 20 or 30 other people, suddenly the impact of those day-to-day consumption choices starts to add up. If a coworking space can get by on fewer resources than a traditional office, it stands to reason that the impact on the environment is going to be lower.
Increased Efficiency
So we’ve established that ‘sharing is caring’. Where there are even more benefits of sharing is the space that we all use during our work day. By sharing one building, flexible workers are utilising space much more efficiently. Allowing for more people to work in fewer buildings helps to decrease the impact that each person has on the environment. It also provides allowance for more homes to be built or green spaces to be allocated.
We’re not saying that coworking is the be-all and end-all of saving our planet but it does have a significant impact. And if we can make even a small change that has such a positive effect then surely it’s worth considering?
We can all attest to the importance of going green but often find it difficult to make the changes necessary in our own lives. The rise of coworking is giving us a chance not only to make a difference in our own lives but also in the world around us. With so many people now working remotely, it’s more important than ever to make sure that we are doing all we can to protect our planet.
