Working amidst greenery is more than a trend; it is a vital element of the sustainable working landscapes of the future. Companies such as Trespa in Weert and Brainport Human Campus in Helmond have embraced this and made the conscious choice to transform their work sites. This certainly also involved integrating trees into their work environment. Trees are not only aesthetically and functionally valuable but play a key role in creating future-proof working landscapes. How do we define the benefits of planting trees in working landscapes?
A working landscape of the future is a dynamic and resilient environment tailored to the changing needs of people and nature. It fulfils different criteria which contribute towards sustainability, well-being, innovation, cooperation, energy efficiency and adaptability. The Dutch coalition Working Landscapes of the Future has established these criteria with the aim of transforming ‘grey’ work locations into ‘green and blue’ work locations. These sites are adapted to the effects of climate change such as heat, drought and flooding and contribute towards biodiversity.
Quantifying ecological benefits of trees
Although the aesthetic value of trees is often immediately apparent, the wider benefits of greenery in working landscapes are less tangible but certainly no less important. The economic and ecological benefits of trees can be quantified, which provides a strong business case for companies who want to invest in a sustainable workplace. When building a business case for greenery, not only must the initial costs for planting and maintaining trees be taken into account but also the Total Cost of Ownership - TCO. In the long term, trees provide important benefits, including lower energy costs, enhanced property value and a positive effect on employees’ well-being. With the emergence of modern technologies such as sensors and geographical information systems (GIS), companies can monitor the health and growth of trees. This data can provide information about the CO₂ absorption of the trees, rainwater run-off capacity, and which energy savings are achieved. Not only does this reveal the benefits of trees but also makes these measurable, which contributes to a well-founded business case.
Monetary value of ecosystem services within working landscapes
Trees provide a range of services which can be directly translated into financial benefits. For example, trees absorb CO₂ and filter impurities out of the air which can result in lower health costs and improved air quality in the workplace. In partnership with Ebben Nurseries, at Trespa’s head office in Weert, for example, the carbon footprint has been improved by planting trees and shrubs which capture a lot of CO₂. Trees provide shade, meaning surfaces can feel as much as 10°C cooler. Via evaporation (evapotranspiration), they lower the air temperature by several degrees. They also attenuate the heat island effect in working landscapes by capturing sunlight and curbing heat storage.
In winter, they act as natural windbreaks. Companies can calculate energy savings based on the amount of shade and protection trees provide, leading to a positive ROI.
Water retention by trees can also achieve a great deal. The canopy collects rain and slows down run-off which prevents overloading of sewers. Their roots improve the soil structure and facilitate rainwater infiltration. Via evaporation, they return water to the atmosphere and thus help to redress the moisture balance. These services may be quantified in terms of avoided costs for business operations, for example in lower investments in air conditioning systems, water management or heating costs.
Greenery in working landscapes is attractive to people
Greenery in the workplace fosters employee well-being and leads to greater productivity and lower rates of absenteeism due to illness. Various studies and articles reveal that employees working in a green environment are on average 6% to 16% more productive. This translates directly into economic benefits for companies. In addition, a green workplace makes a company more attractive to employees, as Human Brain Campus in Helmond demonstrates. From the buildings to the green outdoor spaces, this site has been designed with a clear vision centred around happiness at work and connection. Green spaces could, therefore, result in higher retention and lower recruitment costs. Trespa can already see the effect of the healthy green working environment in very low sick leave figures amongst its production staff.
Various studies, including a publication in the magazine Elsevier Science & Policy, show that green surroundings can increase property value. For owners, this means being more appealing for lessees or buyers, or simply a positive impact on the valuation of their property portfolio.
Trees in working landscapes at height
Space and weight constitute the biggest challenges when it comes to incorporating nature into urban environments. Where possible, trees and plants must be planted in the ground. However, if this is not an option, planting trees on roofs provides innovative opportunities for creating green working landscapes of the future where space is limited on the ground. Ebben Nurseries and The Urban Jungle Project are pioneers in this area. Ebben focuses on selecting suitable tree species and designing roof gardens that are resistant to extreme weather conditions.
The Urban Jungle Project takes this one step further by placing trees on roofs. Their lightweight and modular innovations are effective solutions that allow trees to be flexible and not too heavy, so as to still achieve a green environment. Roof gardens and green façades help considerably to filter particulates, improve the ecology and reduce the heat island effect. These green initiatives also offer companies a way of creating an attractive and functional working environment.
The future of climate-adaptive tree species
Trees can only fully deliver their ecosystem services if they are not exposed to stress. A number of tree species are known for their adaptability in climate extremes, so-called climate trees. They suffer few or no adverse effects during times of stress such as drought, heat, extreme precipitation and air pollution, or are quickest to recover in such circumstances. These include Ulmus resista® (elm) which is drought and heat resistant and quick to grow over any damage. Pinus sylvestris (Scots pine) is good at purifying polluted air and is heat and drought resistant. Gleditsia triacanthos f. Inermis is very tolerant of drought, filters proportionately high levels of particulates and nitrogen and has a cooling capacity thanks to the lush canopy.
Trees form part of wider innovations. Companies integrate greenery as a way of supporting their energy-positive targets and reducing the ecological footprint. This vision of the future not only encompasses planting trees but also their smart management, by using technology. Ebben Nurseries, for instance, is working with Greehill to collect detailed information about trees using LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) and AI. The results are presented in detailed reports and charts, providing an insight into the value of trees, which can then be applied in all forms of built environments. This can help companies to make informed decisions about future-proof planting schemes in order to create a working landscape of the future.