2021 Environmental Social Governance (ESG) Report

designed to be attractive and inviting so that people choose to walk instead of using the lift. Wellbeing is also about company policies like sick leave and smoking bans. Employers could discourage red-eye flights for business travel, because those have an impact on a person’s sleep and performance. Companies can offer their employees fruits and vegetables and other healthy foods. All these little things make a difference. The most important lesson about wellbeing in buildings is that everyone from the architect to the human resources staff needs to be keen on having it and working together to achieve their goal, the health and wellbeing of building users. Q: How has the COVID-19 pandemic transformed the way we think about wellbeing in the workplace? What hasn’t changed? A: Before the pandemic, we would see clients purely focused on energy audits. Now, many clients want that extra analysis to make sure that what is delivered is not simply energy-efficient but is also a building where people feel happy to go. At the beginning of the pandemic there was a huge focus on ventilation, moving air continuously, not recapturing heat. It’s apparent now, though, that we need to balance energy conservation with safety. Finally, awareness about climate science has gone through the roof in the past couple of years. I think a lot of people took the time to reflect and understand that we need to do something about climate change to secure future generations.

Meet Thomas Vazakas, Head of Sustainability, UK, Project & Development Services

Q: Please describe your role at Cushman & Wakefield and tell us about your background. A: My team and I advise both investors and occupiers on ESG and net zero strategies, reporting and disclosure at the corporate level. We also advise clients, at portfolio and asset level, identifying energy saving opportunities, sustainable design, and wellbeing solutions on both new and operational buildings. Much of our work involves preparing buildings for sustainability certifications like WELL, LEED, BREEAM and Fitwel. We conduct energy assessments and guide construction and business operations to make buildings sustainable and healthy. I’m an environmental engineer; my master’s degree was in sustainability and energy savings in buildings, which opened the door for this career. Previously, I was a consultant in commercial and residential spaces, but ultimately, I wanted to have a bigger impact. I wanted to work with large clients on portfolios of buildings, which I am doing now. Q: What are examples of changes you help clients make that will have an impact on building occupants’ health and wellbeing? A: People want daylight; they’re happy when they are not cold or too hot. That influences choices for things like windows, heating and cooling systems, and floorplans. We create spaces that encourage healthy choices. For example, staircases can be

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