Flexible office space, which allows tenants to rent desks, rooms, or floors on a short-term basis, has emerged as a viable option for companies that want to reduce costs, increase agility, and adapt to changing circumstances. However, it is not only attractive for its convenience and affordability; it also has the potential to be more environmentally friendly than traditional office space, which often involves long-term leases, high energy consumption, and low occupancy rates.
Flexible office space can offer several benefits for green investment, such as:
· Lower carbon footprint: it can reduce the amount of energy and resources needed to operate and maintain buildings, as well as the emissions associated with commuting and travel. According to a study by Regus, flexible office space can save up to 15.4 million tonnes of CO2 per year globally, equivalent to taking 3.2 million cars off the road.
· Higher efficiency: it can optimize the use of space and equipment, minimizing waste and maximizing productivity. By sharing amenities and infrastructure, flexible office space can achieve economies of scale and lower operating costs. Moreover, flexible office space can leverage technology and data to monitor and improve performance such as; smart lighting, heating, cooling, and ventilation systems.
· Greater resilience: it can enhance the ability of businesses and workers to cope with disruptions and uncertainties such as; natural disasters, health crises, or market fluctuations. By offering flexibility and choice, flexible office space can enable businesses to scale up or down as needed, and workers to work from anywhere, anytime.
· More innovation: it can foster a culture of creativity and collaboration, which are essential for solving environmental and social challenges. A good example is OBG Virtual Office in Nairobi, which frequently hosts remote workers and entrepreneurs across diverse sectors and disciplines.
These benefits make flexible office space an attractive proposition for investors who are looking for sustainable and profitable opportunities in the real estate market. However, flexible office space is not without challenges. Some of the barriers that need to be overcome include:
· Lack of standards: Flexible office space is a heterogeneous and dynamic sector, which makes it difficult to measure and compare its environmental impact. There is a need for more consistent and transparent reporting and certification frameworks that can help investors assess the performance and potential of different providers and locations.
· Regulatory uncertainty: it operates in a complex and evolving legal environment, which may pose risks and liabilities for investors. There is a need for more clarity and harmonization of regulations and policies that affect the sector such as; zoning, taxation, health and safety, and data protection.
· Cultural change: it requires a shift in mindset and behavior from both businesses and workers, who may be accustomed to traditional ways of working. There is a need for more education and awareness-raising campaigns that can highlight the benefits and best practices of flexible office space.
Flexible office space is ripe for green investment, but it also requires careful consideration and due diligence. Investors who are interested in this sector should look for providers who have a clear vision and strategy for sustainability, who can demonstrate their environmental performance and impact, and who can offer competitive returns and value-added services. Flexible office space is not only a trend but a transformation that can shape the future of work and society. By investing in this sector, investors can contribute to a more resilient, efficient, innovative, and low-carbon economy.
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