As remote work continues to be embraced by organizations worldwide for its numerous advantages, such as flexibility and improved work-life balance, a pressing and crucial question needs to be addressed — its environmental impact.
When it comes to working from home (WFH), many assumed that the method would lead to environmental sustainability gains as people were free from daily commutes during COVID-19 lockdowns.
Initially, there was a significant reduction in global CO2 emissions by 17 percent in April 2020 compared to the peak levels in 2019, thanks to drastic changes in mobility, production and consumption patterns.
This promising trend, however, soon faded away. Emissions are now almost back to pre-pandemic levels, despite employees no longer commuting as often as they used to. Therefore, a question arises — what factors could be contributing to this surprising rebound in emissions?
Designing Meaningful WFH Policies
A study conducted by the University of Gävle’s research group compared 43 scientific studies investigating the impact of remote work on productivity. The findings reveal a compelling trend — the majority of these studies demonstrate that remote work enhances productivity and maintains high-quality standards.
However, while the economic benefits of WFH are clear, the same can’t be said environment-wise. A study by MoreThanNow indicates that the environmental benefit of WFH is not “a clear win.” Rather, it relies on a range of employee behaviors, including travel, energy usage, management of digital devices, and waste disposal, as well as situational factors such as home construction and local infrastructure.
The extent of the energy usage also differs based on individual employee characteristics (e.g., awareness, attitudes, family size, wealth), home infrastructure (e.g., building energy ratings, supplier) and situational factors (e.g., geographic location, season).
Therefore, to generate meaningful environmental benefits from their WFH policies, companies should consider the following four key areas when designing them: energy usage, travel habits, technology practices and waste management.
First, energy usage. Companies, first and foremost, must be able to persuade their employees to be mindful of their electricity consumption and how energy is produced, such as whether it comes from environmentally friendly and sustainable sources or if fossil fuels are being relied upon.
Second, travel habits. In order to illustrate why this is a potential problem, here’s an example — a study conducted on employees in California that transitioned to WFH during the COVID-19 pandemic found that while vehicle miles traveled decreased, there was a 26 percent rise in the average number of trips taken.
Therefore, to be environmentally meaningful, a company’s WFH policy should warrant an increase in non-work travel and shorter trips if necessary.
Third, technology practices. According to a study, a typical business user produced around 135kg (298 lbs) of CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent) annually from sending emails — and that was before COVID-19. This is equivalent to driving 200 miles in a family car, slightly less than the distance from Brussels to London.
Consequently, companies should implement regulations that limit CO2-generating technology practices. The Carbon Literacy Project, for instance, suggests reducing email size by decreasing file resolution, compressing images and using hyperlinks instead of attachments. This practice minimizes storage requirements, resulting in less data being stored on distant servers.
Fourth, waste management. Many companies have provided employees with laptops as a short-term work-from-home solution, potentially producing more e-waste. Companies should take proactive steps, for example, by establishing in-house drop-off centers or forming partnerships with upcycling companies.
This ensures proper recycling and safe disposal of duplicate or outdated electronic devices, contributing to a more sustainable approach.
By recognizing the above situations, employers can effectively address the cumulative environmental consequences, which can be substantial for individuals, teams, companies and industries as a whole as they make behavioral changes in those key areas.
Organizations should also promote a culture of sustainability by offering support, implementing policies and providing leadership to employees who work from home and assisting employees in transitioning to renewable energy sources for their homes. One way to facilitate this is by granting access to auto-switching energy services.
When done properly, remote work can be aligned with various sustainability measures and contribute to achieving sustainability objectives.
Fostering Sustainability Practices at Nimbnet
Employment at organizations such as Nimbnet, which actively promotes a greener future, can significantly facilitate employees in adopting more conscientious sustainability practices.
Nimbnet holds itself accountable by implementing sustainable remote work policies.
The company encompasses diverse professionals, from energy traders and engineers to charging point hosts and electricians. The team collaborates to ensure that their clients experience minimal downtime while charging their vehicles, allowing them to resume their journeys with minimal disruption swiftly.
By fostering an environment dedicated to eco-friendly initiatives, Nimbnet empowers its employees to contribute meaningfully to the pursuit of a sustainable world.
In addition to advocating for a greener future, the company also embraces the concept of remote work, recognizing its potential to enhance sustainability efforts further. It understands that remote work can significantly reduce the carbon footprint associated with commuting and office spaces.
Implementing remote work policies allows Nimbnet to offer employees the flexibility to work from home or other remote locations. This reduces the need for daily travel and minimizes the energy consumption and resource utilization typically associated with maintaining physical office spaces. Remote work at Nimbnet is supported by advanced technological infrastructure and digital collaboration tools.
Through seamless virtual communication platforms and project management systems, remote employees can stay connected, collaborate efficiently and contribute effectively to the company’s sustainability goals.
Nimbnet also emphasizes the importance of creating a conducive work environment for remote employees by prioritizing the well-being and productivity of remote workers. The main goal is to ensure that sustainable practices are integrated into all aspects of the company’s operations.
By embracing remote work with the right policies, Nimbnet not only reduces its own ecological impact but also empowers its employees to adopt sustainable lifestyles. This shift towards remote work aligns with Nimbnet’s commitment to creating a greener future and showcases its dedication to innovative and environmentally responsible business practices.