Earth Day insights: SUSTAINable impact is where operational excellence meets community
By: Michelle Landon, Vice President, Global Corporate Real Estate & Workspace Management, OMERS
April 22, 2025
On Earth Day, we are reminded of how our collective effort drives meaningful change. At OMERS and Oxford, we see this impact when operational excellence works alongside community.
Our Corporate Real Estate and Workspace (CREW) team is dedicated to enhancing global office operations through sustainability, innovation and culture. Our team’s on-the-ground network allows us to proudly support Purpose@Work’s annual 1 Green Thing initiative that calls upon colleagues to help our workplace and communities be more environmentally conscious through simple, purpose-driven actions.
It's days like today I am inspired by the powerful synergy between operational sustainability and community-driven purpose – enterprise versus individual action – and the need for both to truly foster a culture of sustained impact and environmental stewardship.
Sustainability in our operations
Operational sustainability is crucial because it allows us to minimize our environmental impact while maximizing our usage and efficiency. CREW is advancing this across our global offices through a number of strategic initiatives:
Energy efficiency: In various offices, we are implementing LED and motion-activated lighting, as well as automated HVAC systems, to significantly optimize energy usage and reduce consumption.
Sustainable sourcing: Across our global offices, we are partnering with local, organic caterers; opting for eco-friendly office supplies and services; tracking our waste and delivery emissions; and prioritizing environmentally responsible vendors where possible.
Reduction of waste: We have eliminated plastic water bottles in all CREW conferencing spaces; are promoting the use of digital communication and automating processes with our business partners, enhancing recycling processes and effectiveness and rolling out digital access cards instead of plastic badges.
Resource optimization: Offices in Toronto, New York, London, Luxembourg and Sydney are repurposing existing furniture and maximizing underutilized spaces through new configurations and designs.
Community impact is equally as vital, engaging individuals to take collective action. CREW is thrilled to have its offices worldwide support the aforementioned Purpose@Work’s 1 Green Thing campaign this year, promoting a series of eco-friendly acts to take daily, like:
Greener commutes
Using reusable mugs
Going paperless
Eating meatless meals
Volunteering for green initiatives
From East to West, our offices are amplifying the sentiments of this campaign, with participation from Toronto, New York, London, Paris, Luxembourg and Singapore.
Some key initiatives the teams are taking: New York is combining Earth Week with Bring Your Kid to Work Day, engaging future generations in setting sustainability standards with workplaces. London and Singapore will each offer a meatless lunch. And, beyond Earth Week, Singapore’s initiative to donate surplus food to those in need is another way we are meaningfully giving back.
These simple acts collectively reduce our environmental impact and showcase the significance of our everyday decisions. Be sure to stay tuned to Purpose@Work for detailed insights on OMERS and Oxford’s total impact.
The power of these united efforts
Operational enhancements and community-driven initiatives go hand-in-hand, demonstrating how united efforts, from enterprise to individual, can drive sustainable progress and build a better tomorrow. At OMERS and Oxford, we see firsthand how this synergy fosters meaningful change both within and beyond our organization. Together, we create a ripple effect of sustainability in both our workplaces and communities.
This Earth Day, let’s celebrate the power of collective action. Every step we take, every action we make, takes us closer to a greener future. Through our united efforts, we create an impact beyond our immediate environments. Together, we make a world of difference. Happy Earth Day!