Lindsay Baker is WeWork’s first global sustainability leader and she’s the person behind the coworking giant’s dedicated sustainability program. Under Baker’s leadership, the coworking giant has committed to achieve carbon neutrality by 2023, it has eliminated single use plastics, and even banned meat at company events.
The company is prioritizing climate change and looking for ways in which it can integrate social impact and sustainability. And although Baker is a LEED specialist, WeWork has no plans in pursuing a LEED certification, or any other certification like WELL and Fitwel. Rather than focusing on becoming certified, Baker is closing in on efforts that can have more tangible outcomes, like reducing the company’s carbon footprint, reducing energy use, reducing supply chain impact, improving indoor environmental quality metrics, among others.
WeWork also recently created a new team for future cities. The coworking giant is hoping to grow its portfolio of owned properties and this team will make sure that WeWork buildings adapt to rapid urbanization and climate impact, as well as examine the buildings’ contribution to cities and communities.