What is sustainability, and why choose sustainable solutions?

Sustainability is a word you hear all the time in 2025. For many, it’s often associated with climate and the environment. But what does it really mean when we’re talking about office buildings and workplaces?

In practice, it’s about more than just sorting waste and turning off the lights when you leave for the day. It’s about building smarter, using resources more efficiently, and creating work environments that are sustainable for people, businesses, and the planet over the long term.

The UN’s Definition of Sustainability

The UN defines sustainable development as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” For modern office buildings, this means thinking long-term and asking yourself the following questions:

• How do we use energy?
  
  
• How much space do we actually need?
  
  
• How do people feel at work—and do they actually come back?

A sustainable office isn’t just energy-efficient. It’s a place where people actually want to work. A place where the spaces are put to good use, the air quality is good, the technology works, and everyone knows what’s going on at all times.

In short: an office that doesn’t get in the way of employees’ productivity and well-being.

The Workplace as a Hub for Sustainability

In the report *Workplace of the Future—Flexibility, Community, and Leaders in Limbo* by Entra and Epicenter, it becomes clear that the sustainable workplace of the future is just as much about people as it is about the environment. When we view the workplace as an ecosystem—physical, digital, and cultural—it becomes clear that sustainability is about more than recycling or green commuting. It’s also about mental health, social belonging, and work practices that promote both well-being and performance.

Read the full report here.

So, how are well-being and sustainability connected to the building where you work?

Many companies have too much space—or the wrong kind of space. At the same time, based on Entra’s report, we know that flexible, activity-based offices lead to greater satisfaction and lower absenteeism due to illness. In other words, people prefer to use spaces that are suited to the tasks they’re performing.

When employees can work where they add the most value, and the spaces are adapted to different needs—that’s when we can start talking about sustainability in practice. Then we use less space, less energy, employees get more done, and—not least—they’re happier at work.

Sustainability for Leaders

Another key insight from the report is the role of leaders in creating sustainable work cultures. In a hybrid workday, mere physical presence isn’t enough on its own—active leadership is required. At the same time, the report shows that leaders feel twice as confident in their ability to provide effective follow-up in person compared to digitally. To succeed in the future, leaders should be supported in developing new skills: digital presence, empathetic communication, and the ability to balance clear boundaries with flexibility.

How important is sustainability to job seekers?

At the same time, other studies show that sustainable work environments contribute to increased loyalty and lower employee turnover.

It’s no longer just about salary and benefits if you want to be an attractive employer. Job seekers—especially among the younger generations—tend to choose employers who prioritize sustainability.

According to Cone Communications, 51% of employees in their survey say they would not work for a company unless it has clear guidelines for social and environmental responsibility. As many as 74% say their job feels more meaningful when they can contribute to solutions for social and environmental challenges, and 70% say a commitment to sustainability makes them more loyal.

• Millennials (those born between 1981 and 1996), who will make up 75% of the workforce by 2025, largely reject employers without clear CSR initiatives.
  
  
• For Gen Z (born 1997–2012), the trend is even more pronounced: They prioritize social responsibility over paychecks and choose employers based on values and actions, not just what they can expect to be paid. This is, in other words, a generation that expects their workplace to take a stand and assume responsibility.

CSRD: New Requirements, New Opportunities

In addition to heightened expectations from employees, job seekers, and society at large, regulatory requirements for sustainability are now becoming stricter. In this context, CSRD is an acronym worth knowing.

CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive) is the EU’s new framework for sustainability reporting, which will gradually come into effect starting in 2024. It initially applies to large publicly traded companies, but within a few years will also cover medium-sized enterprises—including many Norwegian companies through the EEA Agreement.

At the heart of the CSRD is the requirement for more structured, standardized, and auditor-verified reporting. In short, this means that companies must:

• Report in accordance with the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS).
  
  
• Document both the impact of and risks associated with environmental and social issues—known as “double materiality.”
  
  
• Integrate sustainability reporting into their annual financial statements, on par with financial figures.
  

Smart buildings make reporting easier

Many of the indicators in the CSRD—particularly those related to environmental and social responsibility—focus on how you use and operate your building. These figures can be difficult to extract manually, but in a smart building, much of this process can be automated and documented both efficiently and accurately.

BLDNG’s solutions and products collect real-time data from sensors and systems in the building, providing you with:

• Usage data for meeting rooms, workstations, and common areas —showing actual vs. planned usage.
  
  
• Documented space utilization, w n space efficiency and energy consumption, if desired.
  
  
• Data on flexibility and occupancy —supporting requirements for well-being and workplace design.
  
  
• Air quality and indoor climate —important for social sustainability and occupational health and safety (OHS).

This provides both insights to improve day-to-day operations and a basis for reporting in accordance with ESRS requirements. In this way, smart technology can evolve from being a “nice-to-have” to a central part of your sustainability strategy.

Here’s how BLDNG can contribute to a sustainable workplace

At BLDNG, we help you make the workplace measurably better—both for the people who work there and from an environmental perspective.

For employees and users

• Daily life runs more smoothly: Info screens and the app give you an overview of available spaces, where your team members are seated, and which conference rooms are available—all in real time.
  
  
• Be part of the improvement: Employees gain insight into how the office is used and can contribute feedback and adopt greener habits.
  
  
• Improved well-being and productivity: Natural light, good air quality, green zones, and ergonomic solutions make it easier to work effectively.

For Management and Operations

• Better use of space: See where it’s full and where there’s space available. Do you have enough space—or perhaps too much—or is the space being used incorrectly?
  
  
• Less space means lower costs: Less energy waste, smarter maintenance, and more efficient cleaning result in tangible cost savings.
  
  
• Engaged employees: When people see that the workplace supports both the environment and their well-being, it boosts both loyalty and engagement.

For building owners

• Insight into tenant behavior: BLDNG provides you with real-time data on how the space is actually being used, and tenants want space-efficient offices.
  
  
• Future-proof buildings: Energy-efficient, certified buildings are easier to lease and retain their value longer.
  
  
• Better relationships: When you can document sustainability measures, you’re in a stronger position during lease negotiations.

How can you get started with a more sustainable workplace?

How can I create a more energy-efficient office environment?

Start by measuring your consumption. Install sensors, use data, and adjust ventilation and lighting based on actual usage—not assumptions.

What are the most effective ways to reduce waste in the workplace?

Go digital wherever possible. Give people insight into consumption and routines. Make it easy to sort and hard to dispose of waste incorrectly.

How does working from home contribute to sustainability?

Less commuting, lower emissions. Combine that with better utilization of office space, and you have a win-win situation.

What leadership qualities promote sustainability at work?

Be clear, open, and data-driven. Show that sustainability isn’t just a campaign, but a way of doing business.

How can I involve employees in sustainability efforts?

Give them the numbers. Make them easy to understand. Let them see that the choices they make every day have an impact. Here, good tools and clear communication can make a big difference.

Conclusion: You don’t have to do everything perfectly—but you need the insights that tell you where to start

No workplace is 100% sustainable. But with insight, the right tools, and a clear strategy, you can get a lot closer. At BLDNG, we give you what you need to make the right decisions—documented, adjustable, and tailored to your needs.

Want to learn more about how you can build a better workplace—for people, the planet, and the bottom line?

Book a no-obligation meeting with us! We’ll help you figure out what you actually need—and what you can safely leave out.