Property teams and tenants are under increasing pressure to meet ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) goals, and the benefits are clear: higher property values, greater access to capital, and operational cost savings. Beyond financial gains, a robust ESG strategy improves regulatory compliance, reduces the risk of fines, and enhances corporate social responsibility.
Sustainable buildings are now a primary magnet for high-quality tenants. At the VTS Accelerate conference in May 2024, Neil Vogel, CEO of Dotdash Meredith, stated that “[environmental] sustainability is table stakes” for his employees, adding, “[employees] want to know we're going beyond what's required.”
How can owners implementation realistic initiatives that deliver measurable returns? Let’s explore the "E" in ESG.
Kill the Keycards, Hit ESG Targets, Save the Planet
Reducing material waste is a crucial component of sustainability. Traditional plastic keycards and paper-based visitor logs contribute significantly to a building's waste stream.
- Digital Access Control: Replacing physical cards with digital access is a major step toward a zero-waste policy. For example, The Edge in Amsterdam, one of the world's most sustainable buildings, uses a smartphone app for access to eliminate plastic waste.
- Visitor Management: Digital systems replace paper logbooks and disposable badges. By transitioning to digital visitor solutions, property managers significantly reduce their environmental footprint while enhancing security.
With built-in mobile access and visitor management, VTS Activate offers a seamless digital solution that saves trees and time via a powerful centralized command center.
Streamline Operations, Turbocharge Sustainability
Transforming legacy building operations with digital tools is a powerful way to enhance efficiency.
- The Paperless Office: Bank of America reduced photocopy paper consumption by 18% in just one year by transitioning reports and forms to digital formats, saving approximately 100 tons of paper annually.
- Operational Wins: Digitizing work order management, preventive maintenance, and amenity booking ensures staff can complete tasks promptly. Getting ahead of maintenance improves building performance and further reduces resource waste.
Buildings like 40 Leadenhall are pioneering this shift by consolidating core functions within VTS Activate to optimize resource use and meet tenant expectations for a modern, sustainable experience.
Empower Communities and Brag About It
Property managers can foster a culture of sustainability by making it easy for tenants to participate in green initiatives.
- The Crown Estate Example: Their Sustainability Fit-out Guide promotes green practices in health, wellbeing, and transport. By digitizing these resources, they motivate tenants to adopt sustainable behaviors, improving overall ESG performance.
- Engagement Tools: Use workshops, feedback channels, and surveys to address tenant concerns and improve programs.
- Marketing Your Wins: Utilize a multi-channel digital strategy—including in-app content and push notifications—to promote your sustainability goals and achievements.
Take The Next Step Toward Environmental Sustainability
Industry leaders are investing heavily in climate resilience. CBRE has partnered with Climate X to identify hazards like flooding and extreme heat, helping managers make informed decisions for property retrofits.
While LEED certifications are valuable, they can be costly. VTS Activate provides an accessible way to strive toward ESG goals by reducing waste and improving operations without "breaking the bank." Our platform helps you implement realistic initiatives that deliver significant results and measurable returns.
FAQs
1. How does digital access control contribute to ESG goals?
It directly targets the "Environmental" pillar by eliminating the need for plastic keycards, which are frequently lost and resource-heavy to replace. High-profile sustainable buildings, like The Edge, use this technology to support zero-waste policies.
2. Can digitizing operations actually lower costs?
Yes. By consolidating work orders and communication into a digital platform like VTS Activate, buildings can reduce paper waste significantly (as seen in the Bank of America case study) and improve building performance through proactive, preventive maintenance.
3. Why is "bragging" about sustainability important for owners?
Transparency is a key demand from modern tenants. Promoting your ESG wins through in-app content and digital marketing reinforces your commitment to sustainability, aiding in tenant attraction and retention while meeting the "Social" and "Governance" expectations of transparency.
To learn more about VTS Activate, visit our product page or book a demo.
