Cornell and Microsoft found that remote work cuts carbon emission by 54%. Hybrid workers who work from home two to four days a week reduce their carbon footprint by 11% to 29%, while those who work one day shrink it by 2%…
New research shows remote work cuts carbon emission by 54%.
According to a Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences study, hybrid workers who work from home two to four days a week reduce their carbon footprint by 11 to 29%, while those who work from home one day a week reduce it by 2%
Cornell University and Microsoft researchers include neglected carbon footprint factors like residential energy use based on time-use allocation, non-commute distance and mode of transportation, communications device usage, number of household members, and office configuration, such as seat sharing and building size, in survey data and modeling
“Remote work is not zero carbon, and the benefits of hybrid work are not perfectly linear,” study senior author Cornell energy systems engineering professor Fengqi You said.
Seat sharing among hybrid workers in full-building attendance reduced carbon footprint by 28%, the study found.
Housing options make hybrid workers commute farther than onsite workers.
Remote and hybrid work have little carbon footprint on computers, phones, and the internet, according to the study.
“How can companies and policymakers maximize the benefits of remote and hybrid work to reduce carbon footprint?” Microsoft principal applied research manager and study corresponding author Longqi Yang said.
Remote work benefits everyone, everywhere, and in every industry. How could benefits change everything? The study’s first author, Yanqiu Tao, wants to know more.
Conclusion
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that remote work emits 54% less carbon than onsite work. Cornell University and Microsoft researchers examined residential energy use, non-commute distance, mode of transportation, communications device use, household size, and office configuration using survey data and modeling. Studies show that seat sharing reduces hybrid workers’ carbon footprint by 28% under full-building attendance. Remote and hybrid work affect communications but not carbon footprint. According to the study, companies and policymakers should encourage remote work to maximize benefits.
