July 15, 2009—Research recently conducted by the U.K.’s BRE (Building Research Establishment) social scientists demonstrates the business benefits experienced by companies and organizations that operate from low-carbon buildings.
The project, which was commissioned by the Carbon Trust in Scotland, took a look at three recently completed BREEAM Excellent-rated buildings in Scotland and explored the impact of the buildings on occupier experience and on the organizations as a whole.
The research consisted of a series of interviews with business, building, and facilities managers and focus groups with building occupants. Participants were asked whether they perceived that productivity, job satisfaction, and well being had increased since moving into their new buildings.
The following eight key business benefits were uncovered:
- Reduced operational costs—for example, utility costs, facilities’ staff time, paper, and travel;
- Expected increase in the low carbon buildings’ asset value over a standard speculative building;
- The high levels of daylight, good air quality and natural ventilation in the buildings have had a positive impact on occupant health and well being, compared with occupant’s previous air-conditioned premises;
- Open plan, transparent offices (related to natural ventilation strategy and increased daylight penetration) encourage communication. The research suggests this can have a positive impact on staff as colleagues and managers are more accessible;
- Award-winning, low-carbon buildings provide excellent profile raising and marketing opportunities. Clients and the local community enjoy visiting the building and are encouraged to attend meetings and events;
- Raised awareness of sustainability amongst occupants; encourages pro-environmental behavior at work that spills over into the home environment;
- Improved image among staff who feel it is important to work in a sustainable building, and enhanced amenities for staff that contribute to making staff feel valued at work; and
- There is some indication that a sustainable building can have a positive impact on recruitment.
