2020 and the pandemic have transformed our homes into makeshift offices, pushing many of us to reflect on the very meaning of "work". But beyond the personal and professional challenges, there has been an astonishing green revolution. Office closures and the transition to teleworking have had a significant impact on global emissions.
We struggled to find a quiet corner at home or to adapt to new routines, the planet breathed a little more freely: let's take a look, data in hand.
The science behind the numbers
A study recently published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (I link it here) shed light on this phenomenon. The researchers of Microsoft e Cornell University analyzed data relating to the habits of Microsoft employees in the United States, considering various factors such as the use of communication technology, travel for work and energy used in the office and at home.
And the results were enlightening. Telecommuters had a carbon footprint 54% lower than colleagues who worked in the office. Even hybrid workers, who worked from home 2-4 days a week, they could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 11 to 29%.
The real cause of emissions
But where do these emissions come from? Surprisingly, the energy used by offices was the main culprit. Without the need to heat, cool and power huge spaces all day, emissions have dropped dramatically. But there's more. Without the need to travel to work every day, transport-related emissions have also decreased. It is now useless to even talk about productivity: it has been understood that the elites' "war" on remote work it doesn't depend on this.
Of course, not all that glitters is gold. The researchers noted that some sources of emissions increased for some teleworkers who made changes to their lifestyle. For example, although they did not travel to work, many made more frequent trips to visit family and friends or for recreational activities. This is an aspect that definitely needs to be explored further to have a truly reliable picture of the changes triggered by remote working.
Beyond emissions: the social benefits of remote working
As the title of this paragraph anticipates, emissions are only part of the story. Teleworking has had other positive effects of a different nature, in particular for people with disabilities. Without the need to physically travel to an office, a record number of people with disabilities found employment in 2022, according to data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
If organized correctly and harmonized with in-person moments, remote working can offer a winning solution for workers, companies and the planet. As with all solutions, it is essential to find a balance that works for everyone. We may find that the answer to many of our current challenges (including cutting polluting emissions) lies not in shiny new inventions, but in new ways of thinking and adapting to change. Perhaps, just like remote work, the best solutions are the ones that were already in front of our eyes.
