Can we save GHG emissions by working from home?
Georgina Santos, Rayan Azhari
Abstract
Abstract Using data from official government publications in the UK, we estimate the potential changes in transport and buildings CO 2 e emissions in England and Wales if those engaged in jobs compatible with homeworking were to work mainly from home. We find that the net result is likely to be an increase, rather than a decrease in CO 2 e emissions. Assuming that 20% to 30% of workers were to work from home, the increase would range from 0.18% to 0.97% relative to emissions from the buildings and transport sectors combined, and from 0.11% to 0.60% relative to emissions from all sources. Under the very unrealistic assumptions that the buildings where the new teleworkers used to work closed permanently rather than remained open or were repurposed, and there were no rebound travel, there would be modest emissions savings, which would range from 0.61% to 1.63% of CO 2 e emissions from the transport and building sectors combined, and from 0.38% to 1.01% of CO 2 e emissions from all sources when 20% to 30% of workers worked from home.