Working from home may not have a significant impact on reducing the carbon footprint, as the emissions saved by decreasing daily commuting are largely offset by the energy consumption associated with the home workspace. The conclusion comes from an international study published in the scientific journal ‘PLOS Climate’.
The study, led by Jana Z’Rotz of the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts in Switzerland, analyzed the environmental effects of telework, including working from home, in coworking spaces and other remote locations.
The researchers conducted an online survey of more than a thousand Swiss participants who had used telework in the month preceding the study. Based on responses collected at the end of 2024, the team assessed the carbon emissions associated with commuting, the use of home offices, and the reliance on information and communication technologies.
The results revealed that workers who more frequently engage in telework actually generate fewer emissions related to commuting. However, this reduction is largely offset by the increase in emissions associated with the residential space used for work and the technological consumption required to perform professional duties.
The study also concluded that working more days from home and having a room exclusively dedicated to an office are associated with higher levels of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2eq) emissions.
In light of these results, the authors argue that telework should not be considered as an automatic solution to reduce carbon emissions. Instead, they suggest adopting more compact home workspaces or using remote work locations shared by several people, in order to maximize environmental benefits.
Despite the conclusions, the researchers acknowledge some limitations of the study, including the use of simplified emission estimates and the absence of a control group composed of workers who do not telework. Therefore, they deem further studies necessary to identify the most sustainable options for both the environment and the workers.
“Among teleworking workers, a greater number of remote work days and the existence of a separate home office are positively associated with CO2eq emissions related to the residential space and to information and communication technologies,” the authors highlight.
