The sustainable development has become one of the foundations of modern reality. And it is not only about investing in renewable energy sources. It is equally important to include business activities in this perspective. Hence, so much has been said recently about ESG. Find out what this concept is and how coworking and, more broadly, flexible space rental are related to it.
What is ESG?
ESG stands for “Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance”. These are non-economic factors due to which the quality of activities undertaken by the company is assessed. The topic is important because it will soon become an integral part of the reporting required by European law for public and private companies. This is the result of the draft CSRD directive presented by the European Commission.
According to its assumptions, from 2023, reporting in this context will be subject to large organizations, i.e. those employing over 250 employees. However, from 2026, this obligation is to apply to all entities employing more than 10 people.
But that’s not all. Activities in accordance with ESG have a positive impact on the company’s image, and above all – on the optimization of operating costs. That is why it is worth paying more attention to sustainable development now.
What does ESG mean in practice?
The ESG should be broken down into prime factors – so that you understand exactly what the requirements in these areas are. Here’s what the different elements hide behind.
- E, for Environmental – is an area related to taking care of the environment and climate. These are all issues related to the ecological aspect of the company’s operations. It is not only about “planting of trees”, but above all about ecologically responsible choices that lead to a reduction in the company’s carbon footprint.
- S, for Social – is a topic related to care for social relations, both within the company and external. In this aspect, important are issues such as care for the development of employees, participation in local initiatives or care to counteract discrimination in the workplace.
- G, for Corporate Governance – these are issues related to management in the spirit of responsibility, ethics and business transparency.
ESG and coworking: how are these two issues related?
Is there any connection between ESG and coworking?
We do find a relation. Flexible space rental is particularly important in the context of the first two areas: environmental and social.
Firstly flexible surfaces are ecological because:
- they are usually located in places that are well connected with the city by public transport – this encourages employees to use the subway or tram, not a car. This translates into a lower carbon footprint;
- are located in buildings where environmentally friendly solutions are used – e.g. energy-efficient lighting or heating,
- allow you to limit the space occupied by the company to the space that is actually needed – the serviced office can be reduced or enlarged at any time.
- office furniture is delivered by a flexible space operator and does not change with each tenant – we reduce the environmental cost of disposal
Read: What are the types of flexible workspaces?
The use of such placesit affects the quality of social contacts. Employees using “flexible desks” or an serviced offices, work in a friendly, creative atmosphere. They also have contact with other specialists and, often, a chance to participate in projects organized by the local community. Another social aspect becomes apparent when a subscription to flex space is an element of the company’s hybrid work policy. In this way, the company ensures comfort of work, in various places and formulas – as to whom it fits best.
Conclusions? If you want your company to better meet the ESG requirements, consider renting a flexible space. Talk to our experts about it and find out more!
