`Developing habits needed to support a green office'

Essentially linked to sustainability, to which natural resources conservation efforts commonly refer, office buildings are a potential contributor to global warming. The daily operation of office buildings, for instance, cannot help but consume energy, water and other natural resources. Efforts are now underway to promote the concept of a green office. But is it that easy? The following are comments from several executives: 

Dharmesti Sindhunata 

Associate Director - Marketing & Communications and Workplace Resources, Indonesia Cushman & Wakefield 

I would gladly welcome the move if office buildings in Jakarta started to think about the concept of a green office. Global warming is a serious concern and it calls for mutual commitment to solve the problem. 

I think many owners of office buildings in Jakarta are, as a rule, aware of the green office concept. However, it is difficult to implement it because it requires a big investment to build an office that adopts a green concept. It would be very helpful if efforts were made to promote this idea among building owners and tenants so that practical steps could be directly implemented in our daily work, to encourage existing buildings to be more "green". To make an office building more "green" is not only the responsibility of owners and management of the building. 

We, as tenants of the building, should also have a high awareness of the issue and contribute by developing working habits that support the green office, for instance, by making sure that our computers and printers are turned off when not in use. Use recycled paper when possible. Bring empty food containers from home so that when we buy our lunch so it will not be necessary to have it packaged in Styrofoam and plastic bags. Bring a drink container from home so that it will reduce the number of glasses that need to be washed in our office. Put organic and non-organic trash in separate trash cabin and so forth. 

Not much has been done in the office where I work. Several things that have been conducted in our entire building including a no-smoking rule in the lobby. We also use an automatic sensor for the flush system in our toilet. 

Because it requires big investment, it is difficult for owners of the buildings to implement the green office concept, especially from the aspect of building structure. However, the building management can take the initiative or just a simple activity that supports the green concept along with the tenants. 

Desmond Khoo 

Director of Engineering, Green Team Committee Grand Hyatt Jakarta. 

At Hyatt, we are committed to making a difference in the lives of those we touch every day. We strive to accomplish this with a strong commitment to the preservation of our natural environment, by giving back to local communities around the world and through the volunteer services of our employees. 

To have the most significant impact, our social responsibility initiatives are centered on three core programs: 

A. Hyatt Earth : We believe it is our shared responsibility to combine astute asset management with a passionate commitment to genuine and strategic stewardship of the environment. 

B. Hyatt Community : Our company-wide philanthropic program awards grants to nonprofit groups to improve the environment in the communities where we live and work 

C. Hyatt's Family of Responsible and Caring Employees (FORCE): A volunteer program that allows employees worldwide to participate in local community outreach and volunteer efforts on paid company time. 

Through each of these programs, Hyatt applies a focused and strategic approach to its environmental sustainability, community development efforts and employee volunteerism. 

The driving force behind this initiative is our Green Team, lead by our Director of Engineering, Desmond Khoo. Members of every department meet monthly to plan various short and long term environmental initiatives. 

Some of these initiatives include in reducing energy and water consumption through investments in energy savings products; reducing hotel's waste by implementing a comprehensive recycling program, participating with tree planting campaigns and many more. 

To date these efforts have produced impressive results toward savings for the hotel. Irma Nazar 

Promotion Manager of PT Datascrip 

The green office concept aims to reduce the negative impact on the environment caused by the working activities of an organization/company. Saving energy, reducing the volume of trash, minimizing the use of non-environmentally friendly office equipment and raising awareness of environmental sustainability among the employees are part of concrete actions toward creating a green office. As such it will only be possible if it is incorporated into the vision, mission, commitment and culture of the organization. 

The office where I work has not yet taken any action in a comprehensive and systematic manner. However, several actions have been taken, which are included in our corporate social responsibility (CSR) program in which Datascrip is a member of the United Nations Global Compact. Initial steps have been taken by our company include energy-efficiency actions, especially when the cost of energy (fuel and electricity) increased at the end of 2008. 

To take an initial step toward a Green Office, a common perception and commitment is needed at the level of top management. As a member of the United Nations Global Compact, we are obliged to report these issues every year. Actions that have been taken among other things: 

Reducing the use of paper 

Saving energy by turning off lights during lunch time 

Adopting the latest technology by communicating internally using intra-web 

Sorting different kind of trash 

Promoting environmentally friendly technology products 

The company is committed to the above measures and continues to promote these among members of the organization. 

Other actions include incentives and sanctions.