GPA’s green seal: Why the fit out sector must keep up

By April Lara

September 11, 2024

Government Property Agency UK

The Government Property Agency (GPA)’s recent achievement of ISO 14001 certification is poised to have a significant impact on the fit out sector. As a major client for fit our services, the GPA’s demand for sustainable practices is likely to drive a shift towards more environmentally friendly solutions.

A 2023 nationwide report released to coincide with London hosting the Ecocity World Summit, highlights the growing importance of sustainable workplaces. Eight out of ten employees aged 18-29 (83%) feel it’s important that their company is run in a sustainable, climate-forward way.

Also, the report shows that having a sustainable workspace (34%) is deemed more important than an annual bonus (29%) for the modern workforce. This suggests that employees are increasingly valuing companies that prioritise environmental sustainability.

As an example of how fit out firms are adapting to meet the growing demand for sustainable and functional workspaces, consider the recent appointment of Wates to carry out a Category B fit-out of 2 Ruskin Square in Croydon expected to be completed this month. The project is part of the wider Government Hubs Programme, designed to create a network of modern, digitally enabled, shared workspaces for the UK Civil Service.

The 10-storey, 330,000 sq ft building will provide a mix of flexible and hybrid workspaces to support neurodiversity, collaboration, and wellbeing, along with fully inclusive refreshment hubs, home zones, and meeting rooms.

The GPA’s accreditation sends a strong message to fit out companies that sustainability is a top priority. Fit out firms can demonstrate their commitment to environmental stewardship and attract clients like the GPA by prioritising sustainable materials, energy-efficient technologies, and reduced waste.

For fit out firms, working on GPA projects has a lot of advantages. The GPA manages a large portfolio of government office spaces, providing significant opportunities for fit out work. Government projects also provide stability and long-term contracts, which can be attractive to businesses.

Fit out firms that can successfully integrate sustainable elements into their projects will not only meet the GPA’s requirements but also appeal to a wider range of clients looking for sustainable workspaces.

Mel Weaver, Sustainability Manager of the GPA’s Workplace Services team and chair of the EMS Working Group, expressed pride in the team’s achievement. “We are really pleased and proud as a team that we’ve achieved ISO14002,” Weaver said. “This is proof of our continued commitment to consider sustainability across the GPA’s activities and will provide extra assurance to our clients.”

As the demand for sustainable workspaces continues to grow, fit out companies that can meet these expectations will be well-positioned to succeed.