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The Covid-19 pandemic sparked an unprecedented shift to remote work, accelerating the ongoing trend towards flexible, digitalised working arrangements for employees. Over a year on as we transition out of the pandemic, companies are exploring different models of remote work. Recent research shows that over 90% of remote employees during covid would like to continue working remotely, and approximately 80% of their employers would be happy for them to do so.
Table of contents
- The challenge
- Energy factors
- Transportation factors
- Technology factors
- Waste factors
- Can WFH be a more environmentally sustainable option?
- Promote a 'Real World' culture of sustainability
- Support them with working policies
- Global solutions through local actions...
The challenge
Despite temporary reductions in CO2 emissions in 2020 due to the lockdowns, emissions have now bounced back to their pre-pandemic levels, even as employees continue to work from home. This would suggest remote working is not a clear win for the environment as some anticipated, as its net impact depends on employee behaviour and situational factors such as home building and local infrastructure. For companies focused on ESG indicators such as carbon footprint, the shift to remote work presents new challenges in accounting for sustainability goals.
For businesses to fully grasp the environmental impact of remote working, they must examine the various employee behaviours that play a significant role in sustainability. Energy, travel, technology, and waste are four domains that require particular attention. If individuals, teams, businesses, and industries modify their behaviour in these areas, they can make a substantial difference in reducing their environmental footprint. It is critical for companies to understand the implications of these behavioural changes and the impact they can have on the planet.
Energy factors
The impact of working from home in relation to energy use is not clear-cut, as some studies suggest it has positive effects while others show neutral or even negative impacts. The truth is, the impact can vary greatly depending on factors including: an individual employee's awareness, attitudes, family size, and wealth, as well as home infrastructure, such as building energy ratings and supplier, and situational factors such as geographic location and season. Companies need to consider sustainability impacts from residential energy emissions when crafting remote work policies, including subsidising home energy bills.
Transportation factors
The environmental advantages of working from home and reducing commuting are undeniable. However, recent research has revealed potential unintended consequences, such as a surge in non-work travel and short trips. Recent evidence from the US shows that working from home during the pandemic led to a 26% increase in the average number of trips taken, despite a drop in vehicle miles travelled. It's important to consider not only changes to the work commute but also emissions resulting from hybrid work settings, like conferences and events. Let's strive for sustainable solutions as we adapt to the changing world of work.
Technology factors
Our digital actions have a significant impact, even as individuals. A study revealed that pre-Covid-19, a "typical business" user generated approximately 135kg of CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent) each year through email usage. This amount is comparable to driving 320 kilometres in a family car, and is just under the distance between Brussels and London. Given the current environment of remote work, less in-person office interaction means an increase in online communication, compounding the problem. Several companies' short-term remote working policy involved supplying employees with laptops, leading to device duplication and additional environmental stressors. These trends necessitate a critical re-examination of our digital habits.
Waste factors
During the UK's first lockdown, recycling rates saw a notable increase. This trend is consistent with previous studies indicating that people tend to be more environmentally conscious when managing waste at home as opposed to in an office setting. As a result, working from home could potentially have a positive impact on waste management. However, it's essential to remember that access to local waste disposal services plays a significant role in enabling sustainable practices. Additionally, there's a concerning rise in electronic and electrical waste (e-waste) globally, estimated at around 50 million tons annually, with only 20% receiving proper recycling. This issue warrants attention and action to ensure we continue moving towards a more sustainable future.
Can WFH be a more environmentally sustainable option?
As remote work becomes increasingly common, organisations must navigate new challenges in promoting sustainable behaviours among their employees while respecting their privacy. However, many employees appreciate support in creating comfortable and environmentally friendly home workspaces. By prioritising sustainable policies that offer both environmental and financial benefits, organisations can promote employee well-being and work towards their sustainability goals. To reduce environmental impact, leaders should develop work-from-home plans and policies with three key considerations in mind. It's vital that all leaders prioritise these efforts for a greener future.
Promote a 'Real World' culture of sustainability
For organisations to establish a sustainable and eco-friendly culture, it's critical to integrate sustainability considerations into all corporate decisions, not just Corporate Social Responsibility. This entails evaluating social norms and perceptions surrounding the travel, technology, waste, and energy emissions of both remote and in-house employees, and subsequently designing solutions to reduce these emissions by changing how people engage with these practices. For example, are there existing tools, tips, and initiatives that encourage (or discourage) eco-friendly behaviour among employees at home? Is there a remote-first meeting policy in place? How are managers and leaders encouraging sustainable practices among their teams, including those who work remotely?
Leaders can also play a pivotal role in shaping a sustainability culture by adhering to existing environmental policies themselves. Consider the founder of Ikea, Ingvar Kamprad, who helped to democratise sustainability through his own eco-friendly business practices, such as avoiding business-class travel. Leaders must also empower employees to choose how to implement policies while ensuring that they walk the talk. This approach creates a supportive environment that fosters trust and goodwill, rather than one that feels intrusive or overbearing.
Support them with working policies
Establishing an environmentally sustainable culture in a remote work setting requires more than just reviewing existing policies. Organisational leaders must offer comprehensive support across various domains. This includes promoting renewable energy sources by providing access to auto switching energy services and incentivising active travel through bike schemes for work meetings. Additionally, employers should facilitate proper disposal of electronic devices and e-waste through in-house drop-off centres or partnerships with up-cycling companies. While these suggestions are a good start, employers should also seek input from their employees to identify additional policies that support sustainability.
Global solutions through local actions...
Effective strategies for reducing carbon emissions among employees must be individualised and based on their specific circumstances. While certain policies, such as switching to eco-friendly energy plans and reducing energy consumption at home, may benefit all team members, the environmental impact of each person, team, company, and industry will differ significantly. As an illustration, computer-intensive companies should seek solutions for decreasing e-waste and energy consumption to mitigate their carbon footprint. Conversely, companies where employees travel frequently should focus on minimising travel emissions by limiting non-essential trips, implementing low-carbon transport, booking economy class for necessary travel, and carbon offsetting.
In the case of remote work models, many sustainability impacts will no longer occur within the office premises, but employers retain some degree of responsibility to reduce their carbon footprint. Therefore, it is imperative for companies to embed a culture of sustainability by providing leadership, relevant policies, and support that cover employees' unique circumstances and contexts. By doing so, firms can achieve their sustainability goals and ensure comprehensive accountability for work-from-home sustainability measures.
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