How flexible offices are supporting ESG: Q&A with Design Offices

As part of our series to find out how flexible office providers are addressing ESG (Environmental Social Governance) within their spaces we caught up with Mirjana Huber, Head of Quality Management at Design Offices to find out more.

Tell us a bit about your business/offer  

Design Offices is the leading provider of flexible office spaces and coworking solutions in Germany. We enable companies and self-employed individuals to work in innovative and creative environments that are not just functional but also flexible. Our solutions range from individual offices to short-term bookable meeting and conference rooms, and inspiring coworking spaces. We have over 45 locations throughout Germany, providing vibrant spaces for teams of all sizes.

Are you addressing sustainability in the way you operate your business, and if yes what does this include for you?  

Yes, at Design Offices sustainability is a core part of our operations. We strongly believe that sustainability is a necessity, not an option. We are committed to transparency and a sense of responsibility towards climate neutrality. Our sustainability efforts include the use of green electricity, reduction in energy consumption through sustainable light sources, waste separation, and emission-free commuting via our bike fleet. We also focus on resource-saving working landscapes by primarily using revitalized buildings. We measure our carbon footprint and continually strive to minimize it through systematic and ambitious resource management. 

Are you addressing environmental, social, and governance issues equally or focussing more on one of these areas?  

We are committed to addressing environmental, social, and governance issues comprehensively. Our environmental efforts include the use of green electricity, resource-saving working landscapes, and emissions reduction strategies. On the social front, we are providing comfortable and inspiring environments to enhance productivity and well-being. In terms of governance, we strive to uphold high standards of transparency and responsibility in all our operations.  

As a part of your work on sustainability, have you set a net zero target? If yes what does your commitment include and what have been the main challenges so far?  

Design Offices is indeed committed to a climate-neutral future. We measure our CO2 emissions in accordance with Greenhouse-Gas-Protocol standards, and we take action to offset them. We work with Planetly to create a framework for climate-neutral building use. Our main challenges have been identifying and implementing the appropriate measures to ensure emission-free operations.

Is consideration of sustainability affecting your long-term strategic planning e.g. site selection?  

Absolutely. We prioritize the revitalization of buildings for our sites, which contributes to sustainability by avoiding unnecessary demolition and reconstruction. Many of our sites have LEED Gold certification, exemplifying our commitment to ecological building practices.

Are any of your clients/occupiers asking you about sustainability? If yes what are they asking about?  

Yes, our clients are indeed interested in our sustainability practices. They are curious about our climate-neutral commitment, our energy usage, and waste management practices. We openly share information about our sustainable business development projects and our certification as a climate-neutral company.

Do you think sustainability has been fully embraced by the flexible office sector? If not, what do you think are the barriers?  

While there is growing awareness and commitment to sustainability in the flexible office sector, there is still much work to be done. Some potential barriers include a lack of understanding or knowledge about sustainable practices, the initial investment required for sustainable infrastructure, and the perceived complexity of implementing and maintaining sustainable operations. 

What more can be done?  

There's always room for improvement. The sector can benefit from increased collaboration and knowledge sharing on successful sustainable practices. Governments and industry bodies can provide incentives to encourage sustainable practices. Technology can also play a significant role in minimizing our environmental footprint. It's important that every player in the sector understand their role in this vital endeavour and work proactively to improve their sustainability practices.