Was COP29 another cop out? 🌍

COP29 delivered a landmark climate finance deal, but behind the headlines were sharp divisions and rising tensions.

Here are five of the top takeaways from this year’s climate talks.

💵 Funding deal divides nations

Wealthy nations pledged $300 billion annually by 2035 for climate finance, a big jump from $100 billion. But developing countries slammed it as ‘paltry’, criticizing the mix of loans and grants and last-minute negotiations.

⛽ Azerbaijan’s controversial hosting

Azerbaijan faced backlash for its oil-dependent economy and authoritarian leadership, raising questions about its role as host of climate talks.

🌏 China's growing role

With commitment from the US uncertain, China stepped up, agreeing to voluntary contributions to support developing nations, hinting at future leadership.

🛡️ ‘Trump-proofing’ the deal

Negotiators aimed to safeguard the deal from potential US withdrawal under Trump by making long-term commitments and involving more global players.

✊ Rising activism and tension

Protests and loud opposition from activists and NGOs marked COP29, signaling a shift toward more confrontational tactics in climate diplomacy.

Read more.

What kind of office space do employees actually want? 🧑‍💻

Hassell has just released a brand new report looking at workplace trends, and the findings are very interesting.

👉 Only 23% of employees feel they have enough space to focus

👉 Just 35% say they have enough space to collaborate

And of all the metrics in Hassell’s survey, these are some of the most closely related to people’s workplace satisfaction.

👉 Employees with enough focus space report 24% higher satisfaction

👉 Those with enough collaboration space report 12% higher satisfaction

While companies roll out flashy perks to bring employees back to the office, the data suggests they might be missing the mark.

It’s not about the extras – it’s about getting the basics right. Offices need to be spaces that help employees do their best work, whether they’re focusing solo or collaborating with others.

Get the full report.

Ask Sami is back 🙌

By popular demand, our Ask Sami video series is back for a second season!

After showcasing his tour guide skills during our recent 'Buildings Stories' walking tours, Sami Mustapha is now taking you to some of the most interesting – and smartest – offices he can find.

First up: the iconic London landmark, The Shard. Watch the video to learn more about its design, sustainability credentials, and much more!

Watch the video.

That’s all from us 👋

We hope you enjoyed this month’s edition of The Measure Monthly.

As always, feel free to reply with a question, feedback, or just to say hi!

See you next time,

The Metrikus Team