Studies Show Remote Work is Better for the Planet

The debate about remote work and going back to the office seems to be never-ending. Both sides present strong arguments regarding productivity, collaboration, and flexibility. Many companies have implemented a hybrid situation where employees spend some days in the office and the rest at home, finding a middle ground.

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New research published in September 2023 added a new element to this debate: environmental implications.

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Full-time remote employees produce less greenhouse gas emissions

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Researchers conducted a study in the U.S. to analyze the environmental implications of remote, hybrid, and fully on-site work. It concluded that people who work from home all the time can reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by 54% compared to on-site employees. Decreased office energy usage and fewer emissions from the daily commute result in reduced emissions.

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But what about the usage of laptops, phones, and printers? Well, the report mentioned that these common workplace devices have very little impact on a worker’s carbon footprint.

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The study applies to only office workers, and the results may be different for employees in other job sectors.

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It also analyzed the environmental implications of hybrid work and found that working remotely two or four days a week can reduce an individual’s emissions by up to 29% compared with on-site workers.

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Interestingly, if employees are working only once a week from home, they would reduce their emissions by a meager 2%. But why’s that so low?

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Our non-work energy expenditure goes up when we work from home

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While remote workers' emissions were reduced due to decreased office energy use and fewer emissions from transportation, the study found that remote workers’ non-work travel increased. Working from home gave them the time and flexibility to drive more often to non-work-related destinations.

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After all, you need something to replace those water cooler moments. You could go and pick up your car and drive to the nearest Starbucks drive-thru. Did you find a new recipe for dinner tonight? Let's go and get the ingredients from Trader Joe's.

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In remote workers, non-commute-related travel accounts for 79% of GHG emissions, while it accounts for only 31% of on-site workers. This reduces the net benefit of working remotely.

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Also, factors like using the energy to cook lunch at home and using home appliances like dishwashers, washers, and dryers more often increase the energy consumption of remote workers.

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How can you reduce your emissions at home or the office?

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If offices simply reduce their attendance and keep the size of the office space the same, they will still use the same energy for heating, cooling, and ventilation, which are the most energy-intensive activities.

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Shrinking the size of the office space, sharing office spaces with others, and offering communal desks to employees can all reduce office emissions by up to 28%.

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On the other hand, if you have a home office, consider walking or taking public transit and ride sharing instead of using your car for daily errands. You could also invest in more energy-efficient appliances at home. We have also got some tips to lower the emissions of video calls.

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In some states, you can easily switch your home energy to renewable sources, significantly reducing your energy emissions and making you a more sustainable remote worker. This would significantly reduce your energy emissions and make you a more sustainable remote worker.

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