Why downsizing is the best decision businesses could make in 2024 for sustainability
Photo by Copernico on Unsplash
Oftentimes, when businesses think of ways they can become more sustainable, what immediately comes to mind is the fairly generic advice that’s given online, such as paying to offset your carbon footprint, planting more trees, using less plastic, carpooling, and so on.
These are things that businesses already know, but they keep getting bounced around as if this is the only resort. But it isn’t actually, and one way that businesses are finally taking more charge is through downsizing. In fact, here in the UK alone, 37% of businesses have already downsized. So, is this something that could work out for your business?
It reduces your business’s environment imprint
Downsizing inherently leads to a reduction in a company’s environmental footprint- this is a known fact. So, with that said, you can see this as smaller office spaces being able to easily translate to lower energy consumption, decreased waste generation, and a diminished overall impact on the environment. So, with that said, just by embracing a more compact and efficient workspace, businesses actively contribute to environmental sustainability, aligning their operations with the global call for responsible corporate practices.
More energy efficient
This was already mentioned above, but it really does help to go into a bit more detail about this, as was stated above: smaller office spaces are inherently more energy-efficient. This is all due to the fact that with fewer square feet to heat, cool, and illuminate, businesses can significantly cut down on energy consumption.
Of course, it’s not just about it immediately being a small space because businesses/ tenants still need to look into implementing energy-efficient technologies and practices in a downsized space, further amplifying these benefits, resulting in a reduced carbon footprint and lower utility costs. So, combining a smaller space with some smart, efficient tech (like smart home and smart office tech) will immediately help with sustainability and reduce long-run costs for businesses, too.
It’s easier to create eco-friendly workplace habits
To a degree, it’s a lot harder for employees to want to take their company seriously in sustainability if it’s a large workspace that consumes a lot of resources. But if your business instead looked into a downsized office space, this is actually going to allow your business to easily adopt eco-friendly workplace practices and make them all feel more seamless.
From embracing paperless operations to implementing recycling programs, smaller spaces naturally lend themselves to sustainable practices. In general, it’s just easier to take all of these seriously, and employees will put in a better effort knowing that the company is actually trying. These initiatives not only contribute to a positive corporate image but also inspire employees to adopt environmentally conscious habits both at work and in their personal lives.
Better for resource allocation
As you already know, resources are invaluable, and sometimes, you need to use them sparingly for the operations of your business. Just like living in a bigger house, if you’re operating a business in a large space, you can essentially expect to use a lot of resources (like it or not). It even gets to the point where businesses operating in large spaces are tempted to fill all the empty spaces wherever they can.
This basically causes the problem of needing to spend money on resources that are essentially useless or lack high importance. When downsizing, businesses pick and choose what they need, or instead, they’ll use a storage facility to keep items away until they’re needed. Plus, downsizing allows businesses to optimise resource allocation, directing funds towards sustainability initiatives.
Businesses just spend their money wiser when there’s limited space. Rather than investing in expansive office spaces, companies can channel resources into eco-friendly technologies, green infrastructure, and employee programs that promote sustainability. Overall, this is pretty strategic, and the reallocation of resources positions businesses as champions of environmental stewardship.
Potential for future-proofing for the changing landscapes
You have to keep in mind that here in the 2020s, the business landscape is evolving, and the sustainability agenda is gaining momentum. It’s only going to grow more rapidly, especially here in 2024. So, with that said, downsizing positions businesses to be agile and adaptive to changing norms and regulations related to environmental practices. Future-proofing through downsizing ensures that businesses remain resilient and ready to navigate an ever-evolving corporate landscape.
At the end of the day, all businesses need to do what they can to push sustainability. It’s something that’s absolutely essential to do anyway. So, downsizing isn’t only about sustainability; it can give businesses a leg up on saving money and doing a better job at allocating their resources. In a way, it’s like a gift that keeps on giving.
