As new sustainability and climate reporting regulations take effect globally, mere commitments no longer suffice. The focus has shifted to actual implementation of science-based strategies. The need to comply with new regulations and achieve sustainability targets is compelling organisations to rethink their workplace design or undertake retrofits.

Corporates now have increasingly stringent requirements for their CRE portfolio, with sustainability emerging as a critical factor in workplace design. In Asia-Pacific region, 62% of organisations plan to increase spending on sustainability performance over the next five years, according to JLL’s Future of Work research. This strategic response reflects evolving corporate goals and consumer expectations. Notably, the number of APAC companies that signed up to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has tripled in the past two years.

This shift in priorities is reshaping how companies approach office spaces to deliver on their sustainability ambitions. CRE leaders anticipate a greater focus on climate resilience and adaptation to future-proof their workplaces. They are prioritising green-certified spaces and integrating circularity principles in office fit-outs.

Figure 1: 2030 building scenarios

Source: JLL Research 2024

Sustainability in workplace design extends beyond environmental factors to social impact. By 2030, seven in ten organisations are likely to pay a premium for buildings with top-tier health and wellbeing ratings. This trend highlights the growing recognition that sustainable workplaces enhance employee wellbeing and productivity. Buildings that showcase strong green credentials, support employee health, foster social connections and positively impact the community will be in high demand.

Similarly, a holistic approach to retrofitting can enhance a building’s overall value. Light to medium retrofits aimed at improving energy efficiency can lead to significant cost savings. Incorporating circularity principles in fit-outs help reduce embodied carbon. Furthermore, repurposing underutilised spaces for community use provides opportunities for adaptive reuse while creating a positive social impact.

Corporates that adopt thoughtful workplace designs with environmental and social sustainability strategies can benefit from improved employee satisfaction and productivity. They also meet regulations, mitigate obsolescence and potentially realise long-term cost savings through increased efficiency. In APAC’s future workplaces, sustainability isn’t merely an added benefit—it is a fundamental requirement to creating future-fit office designs.

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