Today is Earth Day!
On this very special day, we’re not going to try and convince you that we’re perfect, nobody is. We are committed to shaping a better tomorrow by improving the way we live today. From the materials we build with to the processes we use, Cohabs tries to design, build, and innovate in a way that helps our planet. We endeavor to be active participants in the preservation of the environment. This Earth Day, we wanted to update you on the continuous efforts we are taking to ensure a positive and sustainable impact. Just how do we do that?
1. Coliving is, by definition, more sustainable
By sharing resources instead of living in individual studios or apartments, our members drastically decrease their carbon footprint.
2. We don’t build new houses, we renovate old ones
The CO2 impact of a renovation is lower than building a house from scratch. We renovate large buildings in poor condition and we innovate every day to find as many environmentally friendly materials and processes as possible.
3. We install solar panels on as many houses as possible
So far, 9 of our houses in Brussels produce their own electricity! For every house we renovate, we run a study and install solar panels wherever possible. In a single year, our solar panels produce 32 978,5 kWh, which covers the electricity consumption of 6 of our houses per year. Our goal is to have 100% of our eligible roofs equipped with solar panels by 2023.
4. Most of our furniture is up-cycled or bought second-hand
We love giving a second life to objects and furniture! Furnishing our homes with second-hand items and refurbished furniture is much more sustainable.
5. We organize green workshops and challenges with our members
Being more sustainable is a group effort. We do our best when renovating and decorating our houses, but what really makes the difference is how our members actually live in them.
6. We monitor our water and electricity consumption
We've partnered with Shayp and installed their smart device on our water meters to detect leaks remotely. We also collaborate closely with Tapio, a startup specializing in carbon emission calculation and reduction strategy. In addition to monitoring our resources, we meticulously select local and sustainable suppliers who help us choose more responsible materials.
7. We support projects that reduce carbon emissions
We offset our CO2 footprint by supporting three projects with the highest levels of environmental positive impact and integrity. Cohabs is also a proud member of 1% for the Planet, an initiative that funds environmental nonprofits around the world to accelerate smart environmental giving.
