Reducing the carbon footprint of your coworking space

This 2019 Coworking Europe presentation examined practical measures for reducing the carbon footprint of coworking spaces. Fiona Frank used Halton Mill, a coworking space in a converted engineering factory near Lancaster, as the principal example. She reported that the building operated on 97% renewable energy through a biomass boiler supplied with local woodchip, solar photovoltaic panels and a community-funded hydroelectric plant. The building had received an A-rated Energy Performance Certificate, and tenants in individual units were separately metered for heat and electricity. The presentation also identified areas where Halton Mill had further work to do, including developing a zero-to-landfill policy, switching off computers overnight and reducing car use. Its limited parking provision prompted an examination of carpooling and other shared-transport options. Drawing on Cat Johnson’s list of 50 ways to reduce a coworking space’s carbon footprint, the slides covered energy, recycling, purchasing, food, travel and the role of a visible sharing culture. Suggested measures included public-transport information, bicycle storage, showers, car-sharing groups and partnerships with transport services. The session concluded with discussion notes on sustainable construction materials, renewable energy, recycling, reduced-meat catering, commuting patterns and the potential influence of coworking networks.

Key findings

• Halton Mill reported that its converted industrial building operated on 97% renewable energy.
• Its energy system combined a local-woodchip biomass boiler, solar photovoltaic panels and a community-funded hydroelectric plant.
• Halton Mill had 14 parking spaces and sometimes faced demand from 50 cars, prompting work on car sharing.

Presented by Fiona Frank, Green Elephant Cooperative, at Coworking Europe 2019