Reflections from FlexSA 2025: Why Coworking and Flexible Workspaces Are Leading the Sustainability Charge

Why Coworking and Flexible Workspaces Are Leading the Sustainability Charge

By Jane Erasmus, Sales & Marketing Director, UBC

Attending the FlexSA Annual Conference this week has given me the chance to pause, reflect, and reaffirm something I’ve felt strongly about for years: the flexible workspace sector is not just responding to the sustainability agenda - it’s helping to lead it.

There was a tangible energy in the room at this year’s conference. Discussions weren’t just about occupancy rates or evolving tenant expectations (though those are always on the table); this year, sustainability stood centre stage. And rightly so. In an era where Net Zero commitments are moving from aspiration to obligation, our industry has a unique role to play.

Here are a few takeaways that continue to resonate with me:

Smarter Use of Space Means a Smaller Environmental Footprint

One of the core themes running through the conference was the sheer efficiency of flexible workspaces. By design, coworking hubs and serviced offices allow multiple organisations to share infrastructure - from meeting rooms and kitchens to broadband and air conditioning. It’s a model that naturally reduces duplication and waste.

A statistic shared in one of the sessions stuck with me: traditional leased offices generate 158% more carbon emissions per occupier than their flexible counterparts. That’s 49 units of CO₂ per m², compared to just 1 in flex settings. It’s not just a bit more efficient - it’s dramatically cleaner.

Revitalising, Not Rebuilding

At UBC, we’ve always believed in the power of breathing new life into older buildings. It was really encouraging to hear so many operators echo the same approach.

Instead of tearing down and starting from scratch, the flex sector is increasingly embracing adaptive reusetransforming vacant or outdated office stock into vibrant, functional spaces. This is sustainability in action: preserving embodied carbon, avoiding demolition waste, and delivering fresh opportunity to underutilised properties.

I was reminded of several UBC centres where this ethos has been at the heart of what we do - bringing modern services and a sense of community to buildings that others may have overlooked.

Strengthening Local Economies and Communities

A standout presentation from the conference cited a 2025 study in the Sustainability journal, which explored how coworking hubs in smaller cities contribute to social and economic resilience. The findings were inspiring but unsurprising: coworking spaces foster collaboration, support entrepreneurs, and help keep talent rooted in local communities.

At UBC, we see this every day - from Bath to Birchwood. Our centres aren’t just offices; they’re business ecosystems, often serving as hubs for innovation, learning, and connection.

 

The Workforce Demands It

Millennials and Gen Z are increasingly vocal in their expectations of employers, and sustainability is no longer a ‘nice to have.’ It’s expected. Employees want to work for organisations that take climate action seriously - and that includes the buildings they occupy.

Flexible workspaces that incorporate natural light, sustainable materials, and efficient energy systems are becoming magnets for talent. Environmental credentials are no longer just part of an ESG report; they’re part of a business’s recruitment strategy.

Looking Ahead

This year’s FlexSA conference was a powerful reminder that sustainability isn’t a separate strand of business strategy - it must be woven into the fabric of everything we do. And our industry is in a strong position to drive that change.

At UBC, we’re proud to be part of the movement that’s reshaping commercial property for a more sustainable future - through smarter design, more inclusive communities, and a commitment to repurposing rather than replacing.

The future of work is flexible, yes. But more importantly, the future of workspace must be sustainable. Let’s continue to lead with purpose.