5 Environmental Reasons to Let Your Team Work Remotely was originally published on Ivy Exec.
It’s never been a secret that offices – and going to the office – take a toll on the environment.
Just think about all of the office commuters emitting carbon into the air, the amount of energy it takes to keep office lights on all day, every day, and the buckets of waste that come from businesses’ bins.
With that said, here are five environmental reasons to let your team work remotely. (In case you needed a bigger incentive than increased morale and boosted productivity!)
✅ Remote teams emit less CO2 into the air.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), transportation is responsible for approximately one-quarter of all global energy-related CO2 emissions – and commuting is a significant contributor.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has actually reported that transportation accounts for the largest share of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, and a study from the journal Nature Sustainability estimated that the daily commute to work accounts for a substantial portion of it.
It’s not only in the United States where commuters are contributing to CO2 emissions. The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) has also reported that the increasing use of personal vehicles for commuting to work is a culprit in boosted air pollution levels. And it’s actually contributing to respiratory illnesses, lung cancer, and other health problems in urban populations. Another report from the European Environment Agency (EEA) suggests that transportation is responsible for about a quarter of the European Union’s total greenhouse gas emissions, even causing habitat fragmentation.
✅ Biodiversity breathes better in remote working cultures.
The Global Carbon Project’s research finds that daily commutes, particularly in densely populated urban areas, deplete natural resources and degrade ecosystems, ultimately impacting biodiversity and ecological balance.
The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) also emphasizes that the reliance on fossil fuel-powered vehicles for commuting releases harmful pollutants (nitrogen oxides and particulate matter), which have detrimental effects on both public health and surrounding environments.
Already, approximately 10 million hectares of forest are lost every year, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), global wildlife populations have declined by 69% on average between 1970 and 2018, primarily due to pollution, habitat destruction, and other factors.
As the loss of biodiversity hurts ecosystems, it also threatens food security and can, therefore, increase inflation. In other words, It’s not good for anything or anyone.
✅ Remote work environments may be healthier.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 99% of people worldwide breathe air that contains high levels of pollutants, which leads to approximately seven million premature deaths every single year. Most of these people live in densely populated urban areas, such as big cities, where many companies have their headquarters and offices.
Being able to work from home (or somewhere with cleaner air) means avoiding areas with higher levels of air pollution. And for any employees with respiratory illnesses already, this can be a huge advantage. This is beneficial for businesses, too, because healthier employees take less sick time and are more productive at work.
✅ Remote teams may produce less waste.
Waste generation, in general, is expected to tick up by 70% by 2050, according to The World Bank.
Plastic pollution, in particular, is a real problem. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation estimates that by 2050, there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish by weight if we continue on the current trajectory.
Waste and plastic pollution pose severe threats to not only marine life but also to human health. Waste contaminates our environment, and microplastics end up in the food chain, which can cause diseases down the line.
Offices produce tons of waste. In fact, according to the EPA, a typical office worker generates about two pounds of office waste every single day – including plastic, paper, and food waste. People who work from home, however, tend to use more technology and electronic communication tools, which can cut down on paper waste. They may also order less takeout or to-go lunches, which can cut down on food waste.
✅ Remote teams conserve more energy.
Being a remote company minimizes the need to power an office building all day, every day.
Offices are energy intensive; they need lighting, heating and cooling, and more. But if your team is remote, you won’t need to consume so much energy.
Never mind that powering electronic appliances can end up costing you a fortune each year. The decreased demand for these appliances – and energy consumption, in general – can save your business money and save the environment.
The bottom line
As businesses navigate the evolving dynamics of the modern workplace, recognizing the environmental benefits of remote work is paramount.
Embracing a remote work culture not only facilitates a more flexible and adaptive work environment but it can also contribute to a more sustainable and environmentally conscious approach to conducting business.
By leveraging remote work practices, your team can play an active role in fostering a more sustainable future.
