Office Retrofits: Reducing Embodied Carbon & Operational Carbon

Hidden emissions during retrofits impact progress towards your #ESG targets

Today, your office is more than just a workspace. It’s a catalyst for sustainability and employee well-being. But beware, the rush to transform spaces can leave an environmental footprint we can’t afford to ignore.

Did you know?

  • Fit-out costs have skyrocketed by 100% in Australian cities
  • Hybrid working is here to stay and is pushing asset owners to rejuvenate and make their offices more comfortable
  • Quality space matters more than expanding the footprint
  • Progressive fitouts cost less than traditional ones.

Ditching furniture, fitout and equipment (FFE) to start afresh may seem tempting. But it’s the ‘elephant in the office.’ Hidden costs, like embodied carbon and emissions, are piling up, threatening our planet.

Contractors, in the race for affordability, risk compromising quality, leading to environmental harm. There’s a perfect storm brewing, and the environment is on the losing end.

You have other options, not just expensive solar projects, to make a difference. There are smarter, inexpensive solutions that lower costs and reduce environmental impact.

You can embrace the future with progressive, moderate, or high-quality fitouts that align with your budget and avoid the need for expensive electrical and other rework.

Environmental Lighting is emerging as one of these inexpensive, savvy choices. Environmental Lighting improves sustainability ratings, safety, comfort and energy efficiency.

Australian Made, Environmental Lighting

Two local champions, Eagle Lighting and Polar Enviro, are partnering to offer ‘environmental lighting’ solutions that can attract sustainable financing. We can reduce energy bills using Eagle Lighting’s LED lighting and Polar Enviro’s Smarterlite Environmental Exit Signs by between 50-70% and 70-90% respectively.

The use of upgradeable materials that stay in use longer and are recyclable also reduces embodied carbon for asset owners.

We’ve joined forces because we share a vision to stay ahead of emerging preferences and trends.

For example, the 2022/23 JLL Future of Work Survey of corporate real estate decision-makers, found that:

  • 90% believe workplace design enhances employee engagement
  • 77% prioritize investing in quality space over expanding
  • 84% support circular design in office renovations
  • 56% plan open, collaborative spaces by 2025
  • 57% switch to smaller headquarters with satellite offices.

As an asset owner or manager, you can join the sustainability revolution and elevate your office as a prime example of reducing embodied carbon reduction and avoiding environmental harm.

What is Sustainable Finance?

Sustainable Finance is finance that lenders provide to businesses to upgrade their buildings to achieve savings through energy efficiencies and to address climate change.

Some finance options are available on conventional commercial terms. Other finance options (e.g. Environmental Upgrade Finance) are enabled by Victorian and New South Wales legislation and allow finance to be tied to the property, not the business or balance sheet. This allows the building to be sold and responsibility for the loan transferred to its new owner.

All sustainable finance options must deliver an environmental benefit. Smarterlite has an Exit Sign approved in the Victorian Energy Upgrade Program and NSW Energy Saving Scheme.

Need more information?

Contact us to find out how Environmental Lighting can reduce your retrofit costs as well as your embodied and operational carbon.

Darrin Ray
Polar Enviro
General Manager ESG
0413 334 523

www.polarenviro.com.au

Ian Johnson
Eagle Lighting
Lighting Solutions Manager
0412 042 989

www.eaglelighting.com.au

Smarterlite is part of Polar Enviro. Smarterlite is a member of the Green Building Council of Australia, National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA) and Photoluminescent Lighting Council of Australia.

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