What we are leaving in 2025: Sustainability Being Just a Side Effect

Sustainability has long been part of workplace conversations – often emerging as a welcomed benefit of cost savings or increased flexibility.

In 2026, that approach is no longer enough.

Hybrid and flexible work models influence how often people commute, how efficiently offices are used, and how much space organizations truly need. When these factors are understood and managed well, hybrid work can support both business goals and environmental impact. But without taking these factors into consideration, it’s easy for offices to remain underutilized and for sustainability efforts to stay disconnected from everyday ways of working.

The problem isn’t lack of intent, it’s lack of structure and data.

Sustainable workplace strategies work best when they are thoughtfully designed. They rely on understanding how often people come together, where they work from, and which spaces are actually needed. Without that insight, even well-intentioned hybrid models can result in wasted space and avoidable emissions.

From now on, sustainability needs to be built into the operating model of hybrid work

That means:

• Reducing fixed office footprints where utilization doesn’t justify them
• Utilizing near-home and near-client workspaces to cut commuting distances
• Measuring CO₂ impact alongside cost and usage data
• Making sustainability a shared responsibility, not just a by-product of other operational decisions

When organizations optimize their office portfolios based on real usage instead of assumptions, sustainability becomes a measurable outcome, not a marketing statement.

At Spacent, sustainability has been a guiding principle from the start

Our goal has always been to rethink how workspaces are used moving toward models that are more flexible, more efficient, and more supportive of social sustainability. Instead of defaulting to new developments or oversized offices, we believe the real opportunity lies in making better use of the spaces that already exist.

By helping organizations adopt hybrid work as a standard part of their workplace strategy, Spacent supports a shift away from unnecessary commuting and underutilized buildings. A flexible workspace network and real-time analytics allow companies to match space supply with real demand – reducing waste while maintaining access to high-quality, professional environments.

This approach supports a more sustainable real estate ecosystem. When workspaces are shared, curated, and optimized based on actual use, fewer square meters sit empty, and fewer new ones need to be built by default. At the same time, employees gain access to spaces that support collaboration, focus, and wellbeing closer to where work actually happens.

Final word

Hybrid work holds significant potential to reduce workplace emissions. With the right tools, data, and intentional design, it can become one of the most practical ways organizations move toward more sustainable ways of working.

In 2026, sustainability can’t be something we hope happens. It has to be something we actively design for.

More on the topic:

Calculate your organisation’s potential impact on CO2 emissions and costs with Spacent.

Spacent Blog: CO₂-emmissions and Commute: The Untapped Sustainability Lever in Workplace Strategy

 

---

Want to learn more?

Spacent offers access to 360 office locations in 24 countries – with one app. Our team is happy to tell more of available products and our space partners.

Contact us

Curious about pricing?: Pricing

More about the solutions: Products