We’ve all read advice about the importance of making your business more sustainable to conserve our planet’s dwindling resources for future generations. The UK is leading the way in terms of sustainable practices in the workplace, with 75% of businesses believing they have a vital role to play, according to research.
A study by HSBC revealed three-quarters of UK businesses were actively supporting the United Nations’ Sustainable Development goals, aimed at improving the planet by 2030. The goals cover all aspects of life on earth, both in our oceans and on the land, especially when it comes to slowing down climate change.
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They include providing clean water and sanitation for all, producing affordable and clean energy, having sustainable cities and communities, practicing responsible production and consumption, conserving oceans and marine resources, managing forests and reversing land degradation and loss of biodiversity.
Are companies becoming more sustainable?
The HSBC research involved interviewing 9,000 companies from all over the world. UK businesses had by far the highest rate of support for the UN initiative at 75%, compared with 58% of companies in the Netherlands, Spain and France.
The main reasons why firms were choosing to become more sustainable were to meet regulatory standards, improve their efficiency and gain a reputational advantage as consumers became more aware of environmental issues.
Research by Unilever shows that its new “sustainable living” brands account for 70% of its growth in turnover, while sales of sustainability-marketed product (including laundry care and sanitary napkins) have rocketed by 150% since 2013.
Research all over the world proves that consumers DO care when it comes to sustainability and are more likely to purchase from a company with eco-friendly practices.
How can you make your business more sustainable?
There are many ways to make your firm more sustainable, not only to improve your carbon footprint but also to enhance your stature and reputation in today’s era of environmentally-aware consumers. The most obvious one is to practice recycling – and not just paper and ink cartridges. Aim for zero waste going to landfill.
This means carefully planning every aspect of your business, such as replacing disposable plastic cutlery with bamboo, using LED lighting rather than fluorescent tubes and reducing the total amount of paper you use in the office by promoting digital communication.
All these little changes need a wider culture shift to succeed, with managers and employees alike buying into the idea. This can involve having annual environmental training for everyone to keep up-to-speed with the latest initiatives, for example.
How do automatic doors improve sustainability?
According to statistics from the World Green Building Council, commercial buildings account for 39% of the planet’s carbon emissions. This is almost double the amount of carbon dioxide produced by the transport sector.
Ensuring the indoor climate is stable is important for numerous reasons. Employees and customers depend on having a comfortable indoor climate for health and productivity reasons, but this comes at a cost. The heating and cooling of indoor spaces account for 71% of the average building’s energy consumption.
When the interior climate is disturbed by external weather conditions, such as when the door opens to let someone in or out, the heating and cooling systems must work harder to compensate for this change.
Doors are vulnerable when it comes to maintaining the indoor climate, as they allow external weather to rush in when they’re opened. They are likely to open many times a day at business premises. Automatic doors are more suited to high foot traffic than traditional manual doors, as they are faster and smarter, making them a must for sustainable commercial buildings. They help to minimise heat transmission, air infiltration and air leakage.
What types of automatic doors benefit sustainability?
Automatic sliding doors provide fast, quiet access, either as a double or single doorway solution. A double doorway creates a vestibule which provides a buffer zone, minimising draughts and air infiltration, whatever the weather.
Swing doors offer a space-saving solution and are convenient for disabled access, as they can be operated by sensors or an elbow-switch, meaning they’re opened only when they need to be.
Controlling the climate and eliminating draughts, revolving doors are the most effective entrance solution for extremely high foot traffic. They remain closed to the elements but are always open for people.
An intelligent door solution provides a range of benefits for your commercial building: minimising energy loss, improving the indoor air quality, controlling air circulation and optimising the overall energy performance of the premises.
Contact Automatic Access today to discuss the environmental benefits of our sustainable solutions.