Helping you to understand the carbon footprint of your current office, and realistic ways to reduce it.
By Making Moves London
March 29, 2025
Office spaces play a big role when it comes to our carbon emissions. In fact, around a quarter of the UK’s carbon emissions come from office and commercial buildings, according to the UK Green Building Council.
If you’ve been tasked with reducing the carbon footprint in your office, whether to save costs, hit sustainability targets, or simply create a better workspace, it can feel like a lot to take on. But don’t worry, that’s where we come in.
We’ll walk you through everything you need to know in this guide, whether you’re a facilities manager assessing building performance or a finance lead looking at energy contracts. We’ll help you understand where your carbon footprint comes from and start making long-term changes that work for your business.
Before we dive into some practical steps for reducing emissions, let’s get to grips with what your current carbon footprint actually looks like.
Your carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases generated by your office operations. This includes things like:
If you’re a larger business with multiple sites, it can be tricky to get a full picture. But even a rough snapshot can help you identify the biggest areas for improvement. Maybe your heating system is outdated, or your waste management could be better. Once you know where the main issues are, you can start putting a plan in place.
Not sure where to begin? We can help. At Making Moves, we help businesses map out their carbon footprint and build a plan to reduce it. Whether you’re looking for a quick win or a long-term strategy, get in touch with us to get started.
In most office spaces, emissions tend to fall under three categories:
These are the areas where you’re likely to see the biggest impact, so let’s take a look at each one in more detail.
Energy use is often the biggest contributor to your office’s carbon footprint. But the good news is, it’s also one of the easiest ways to make a lasting change.
Small changes can have a huge impact. Start by switching to energy-efficient LED lighting, and installing motion sensors in meeting rooms and bathrooms.
You can also encourage staff to shut down computers and monitors at the end of the day. If your office has a server room, replacing outdated hardware with more energy-efficient models can also have a big impact on your office’s carbon footprint.
Heating and cooling systems usually account for a huge chunk of an office’s energy consumption, especially in older buildings. If your heating or cooling systems are more than 10 years old, it might be time for an upgrade. Smart thermostats and zoned systems can also help you save energy without sacrificing comfort for your employees.
Even small appliances like kettles, fridges, and microwaves add up. Choose energy-efficient models where possible, ideally A or B rated, and encourage teams to unplug devices when they’re not using them.
You don’t always need a complete renovation to see results. Adding insulation, sealing draughts, installing double glazing or fitting smart meters can dramatically reduce the carbon emissions of older office buildings.
There are plenty of other ways your office can become more energy efficient. Read our guide on 39 ways you can save energy at work.
Once you’ve tackled energy use, the next area to look at is waste. Everything your office buys, uses, and throws away leaves a carbon footprint behind. Manufacturing, packaging, shipping, and disposing of goods all play a part.
When you cut waste, you can reduce your emissions and sometimes save money, too. Here are a few simple ways to get started.
Make it easy for your teams with labelled bins and easy-to-use recycling stations. Don’t forget to make it clear what can and can’t go in them.
Going paperless is another small win when it comes to reducing the carbon footprint in your office. Start by introducing cloud-based storage, e-signatures, and digital reports to cut back on printing.
Before you buy new office supplies or furniture, check what you already have. Could an old desk be refurbished? Could surplus items be donated rather than thrown away?
Encourage teams to rethink their purchasing habits and see what can be reused before replacing it. And when it’s time to dispose of something, look for recycling or donation options over landfill.
Office kitchens and catered meetings can produce a lot of waste. Set up clear fridge policies, plan catering portions carefully, and donate leftovers when you can to reduce the footprint in your office.
Consider carrying out a waste audit to see exactly what’s being thrown away. It might reveal a few surprising things, like excess packaging from deliveries or disposable coffee cups adding up. Share your findings with staff so that everyone is on the same page.
How your team works day-to-day also plays a key role in reducing your office’s carbon footprint.
Choose suppliers that take sustainability seriously. Ask them to share their sustainability credentials or carbon reduction targets. Choosing partners who are actively reducing their emissions can help you improve your indirect footprint, also known as Scope 3 emissions.
Embedding sustainability into your workplace culture is another great step to take. Start by:
These steps can encourage teams to get involved and feel part of the project.
How does your team get to and from work? Carry out a survey and encourage more sustainable options where possible. You could consider:
These are all great perks that can help reduce travel emissions. Remote or hybrid work models can also make a big difference, especially for employees who live far from the office.
Encourage simple changes, like turning off lights and screens when not in use, holding virtual meetings, and thinking carefully about heating and air conditioning.
Creating a low-carbon office culture takes time, but the impact can be huge. When sustainability becomes a shared priority, it’s easier to make lasting changes that stick.
[Placeholder for case study where Making Moves helped reduce a business’s energy usage].
For businesses looking to take the next step, building certifications are a great place to start.
These professional accreditations help businesses demonstrate a serious commitment to sustainability, while also providing structured guidance on how to improve performance across key areas, including:
They’re not just for show, either. Green-certified buildings are proven to perform better. According to the US Green Building Council, buildings with green certifications:
Here are three of the most widely recognised certifications to consider.
BREEAM is often seen as the gold standard and is one of the UK’s most widely adopted sustainability certifications. It looks at everything from the materials used in your office to how much water and energy your building uses, and even the quality of the indoor environment. Whether you’re fitting out a brand new space, refurbishing an older building, or improving an existing office, a BREEAM certification can help you achieve your carbon reduction goals.
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a US-based certification that’s gaining ground in the UK. It’s globally recognised and offers a detailed framework to help businesses improve environmental performance. LEED certification can be particularly useful if your business operates across international sites or is looking for a global accreditation.
While BREEAM and LEED focus heavily on your office building itself, WELL looks at the impact of the building on its people. It promotes healthier environments that support employee wellbeing, from air quality and lighting to acoustics and mental health.
If you’re relocating, opening a new office, or upgrading an existing space, these certifications are worth considering. They don’t just help lower your carbon footprint, they can also show stakeholders and partners that you’re serious about doing business sustainably.
Cutting your office’s carbon footprint doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right plan in place, you can create a greener, more efficient workspace that’s better for everyone involved.
At Making Moves, we help businesses of all sizes plan and deliver sustainability-focused office projects. Whether you’re at the beginning of your journey or looking to go further, we’re here to help. Get in touch to find out how we can support your journey.
UK Gov Carbon Reduction Plan
US Green Building Council
