How to get started with ESG as a coworking operator

ESG isn’t just a buzzword – it’s an essential framework shaping the future of businesses. In the coworking industry, the focus on creating shared, well-managed, and inclusive spaces makes ESG a natural fit, and an urgent priority. But, how do you get started with ESG? This article explores ways to make small, incremental changes in your coworking spaces, for the benefit of people and the planet.

What does ESG stand for?

ESG criteria are increasingly used by investors, companies, and other stakeholders to assess businesses’ sustainability and ethical impacts. Evaluating a company’s performance and practices, ESG can be broken down into the following three core areas:

• (E)nvironmental aspects: Considering the impact on sustainability and the environment, such as greenhouse gas emissions, resource usage and waste management, water and energy efficiency, and carbon footprint.

• (S)ocial impact: How a company manages relationships with its employees, customers, and communities, across labour practices, workers’ rights, and DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) initiatives.
• (G)overnance: Examining the quality and integrity of a company’s leadership, such as its commitment to transparency and ethical business practices, shareholder rights, and board diversity. 

Going green

The benefits of a sustainable-first coworking business extend beyond just reducing your carbon footprint. As 27% of workers will consider an employer’s commitment to sustainability before accepting a job, adopting environmentally friendly practices into your everyday operations helps attract value-driven customers, giving your coworking business a competitive edge. 

But getting started doesn’t require an expensive retrofit. For instance, simply replacing lighting with energy-efficient LEDs reduces energy wastage through heat by up to 90%. Reducing your electricity consumption can save you around 65% on energy costs.

Beyond replacing energy-intensive utilities, the office industry is a huge contributor to waste, with a staggering 300 tonnes of office furniture thrown into landfills daily, not to mention the amount of disposed electronic waste (e-waste). If your office furniture is reaching the end of its useful life, consider donating it to a local community hub or school. This approach also strengthens ties to your neighbourhood, feeding into social impact. 

Over its lifespan, furnishings are responsible for roughly 40% of an office building’s carbon footprint. With this in mind, Koba Spaces in Manchester registers every single workspace feature with a digital passport to measure its carbon footprint. Whether it’s fixtures, fittings, or furnishings, this action demonstrates a huge commitment to sustainability. 

We prioritise an ESG-compliant supply chain at technologywithin. When we onboard a new client, we’ll initially look to take over their existing hardware instead of ripping it out. With the average site requiring 17.5 switches to run the internet through a workspace, this approach saves thousands of switches from landfills. We also donate all of our client and team office equipment to Jamie’s Computers, an offshoot organisation of The Society of St James (a charity for the homeless, and our chosen charity partner). 

Well-being initiatives

A healthy workplace not only serves an environmental purpose. It also contributes to social impact, improving community well-being. While it’s estimated that we spend between 80-90% of our time indoors, exposure to toxic indoor pollutants is linked to increasing risks of respiratory and cardiovascular illness, certain cancers, and cognitive impairment. Making changes to avoid this creates a happy and healthy space, and is an important part of your ESG commitment.  

Harmful cleaning products can be replaced with more natural solutions, while introducing plants to your workspace improves air quality. A study by Easy Offices found that 70% of respondents also felt that plants improved the atmosphere in their office, improving productivity while reducing stress.

Flexible workspace operator FORA strives to optimise air quality in workspaces and uses 100% organic, chemical-free products. Committed to “nurturing the body and mind,” FORA spaces typically incorporate wellness facilities and biophilic design. For instance, the Black and White Building in Shoreditch has been crafted from timber wood (linked to moderating humidity levels and decreased blood pressure) and glass (bringing lots of natural lighting, improving circadian rhythms with mood boosting qualities).

Even if you don’t have a dedicated fitness or wellness space in your coworking space, offering wellness perks can involve seeking partnerships with local gyms or fitness studios. Encourage your team and community to take up a more active commute by partnering with e-bike companies and offering incentives. This not only contributes to reduced environmental impact, but walking for half an hour or cycling for 20 minutes on most days reduces mortality risks by 10%, according to the World Health Organisation. Get started by facilitating a fun, active community challenge.

Transparency through data-driven insights

Making changes to improve your sustainability credentials and social values is vital, but those efforts can lack direction and accountability when impact isn’t measured. This is where governance plays a critical role. Introducing transparency into your processes demonstrates your commitment to ESG principles, allowing you to track progress, set realistic targets, and identify areas for improvement.

For instance, flexible workspace operator Uncommon introduced a new governance framework last year, prioritising actions towards improved environmental impact and community initiatives. The supplier code of conduct ensures adherence to ethical, sustainable, and socially responsible practices. Uncommon also measures, sets targets, and reports on diversity. 

As a BCorp-accredited business, Uncommon meets high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. According to recent research published by BCorp, accredited UK businesses reach faster annual growth in revenue, expand their teams, and are more economically resilient than businesses without BCorp status. If you strive for this accreditation, get started by setting up your tech stack to measure impact across the ESG framework.

As the chosen technology partner for numerous BCorp-certified workspaces, technologywithin software gathers data on space utilisation and building occupancy, helping operators make smarter, data-driven decisions. For example, understanding peak usage can help make smart decisions around turning on energy-intensive resources, like air-conditioning and lighting, and reducing energy waste and costs. 

Going one step further, our twiindata Nomad tool collects data on movement, allowing you to optimise staffing, cleaning services, and maintenance schedules at each location. Use this information to host events or create networking opportunities at popular sites, curating a vibrant community where members feel connected. 

Leveraging technology can be a game-changer towards reaching your ESG goals. As demand for ESG-compliant workspaces increases, starting now will future-proof your coworking business for the long term. 

From Coworking to Ecoworking: Navigating Your Path to Net Zero

We recently brought together leading voices from across the European coworking sector for a dynamic conversation on ESG—covering strategies, challenges, and practical advice. Now available on-demand, the session features insights and real-world case studies from experts at Clockwise, New Work, Design Offices, Avila Spaces, and Vertical Coworking. Plus, don’t miss the exclusive unveiling of results from the first-ever ESG in Flex Report—packed with takeaways to help you embed sustainability and resilience into your workspace strategy.