Rethinking Work: The Role of Hybrid Working in the Journey to Carbon Neutrality

Against the backdrop of an unprecedented climate crisis, Canada has set an ambitious objective to reach carbon neutrality by 2050. A goal that was once seemingly distant now edges closer. 

Achieving this monumental objective will require a united front. While various strategies are in place to curb emissions, one often-overlooked solution lies in the way we work. It should come as no surprise that commuting to city centre offices five days a week has the largest carbon footprint of any working model. Long, daily commutes to the office no longer make sense. In a world where many can now choose how and where they work, the fact that regular long commutes are still happening defies all logic. 

Experts have shown the journeys made by car to work at a city centre are equivalent to a carbon footprint of 3.2 tonnes of CO2 per person per year. The daily grind of sitting in traffic is a waste of time, lowers productivity, and contributes to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. The shift to hybrid work models, catalyzed by the COVID-19 pandemic, presents an opportunity to slash emissions linked to commuting. In March 2020, when much of the world stopped commuting daily, global CO₂ emissions fell by up to a quarter as people stayed at home. Future Earth’s Global Carbon Project reported a 2.4 billion-tonne fall in fossil CO₂ emissions during the lockdowns, with the largest proportion coming from reduced transport emissions. 

A recent report out of Carleton University of 1,500 federal government employees found for each extra day that a hybrid employee in the National Capital Region works remotely, the reduction in annual emissions ranges from approximately 235 to 350 kilograms. This reduction is equivalent to burning 150 litres of gasoline. 

When you remove a long daily commute to a city centre office, you’re looking at an immediate boost to workers’ engagement, productivity, and the environment. So, it raises the question of why anyone would choose to take on a regular commute at all or—more pointedly—why employers would still ask their people to do it.

Local Working Brings Major Carbon Savings 

To understand the true impact of hybrid working on reducing carbon emissions, the International Workplace Group conducted research with economic modelling consultancy Arup to measure the environmental impact of hybrid working based on both building and transport emissions. Our landmark report found that hybrid working and working locally to cut long commutes brings major carbon savings, with the potential to have a significant positive and lasting impact on the climate crisis. 

People working closer to home, in their communities, is key to this. Our research with Arup underscored that local working is crucial to reducing carbon emissions in relation to the commute. When compared to a five-day traditional commute, the study found the average worker’s carbon footprint was reduced by up to 70%. The study found splitting time between a local workspace, working from home, and occasional trips to a city centre HQ offers the greatest benefits. By incorporating local workspaces, home offices, and occasional city centre visits, it enabled substantial carbon savings while enhancing well-being and productivity.

Local workspaces have emerged as a sustainable and environmentally conscious alternative compared to traditional city centre offices. This is because local workspaces exhibit lower emissions per square metre of floor area, primarily due to their higher utilization rates. By accommodating more individuals within a limited space, these workspaces distribute emissions more efficiently, resulting in reduced environmental impact per person. The strategic use of space and resources in local workspaces minimizes energy consumption for essential functions like heating, cooling, and lighting, which ultimately slashes the collective carbon footprint.

The good news is we’re seeing many businesses in Canada embrace local working. According to our recent research, almost three-quarters (74%) of Canadian businesses have reduced the size of their traditional office footprint through hybrid work models that empower their employees to work in office and co-working spaces closer to where they live. The research found that as part of office reconfigurations, about half (48%) of businesses now have office space outside of city centres, and among these, 58% have opted to open secondary offices in the suburbs of a major city.

This supports the idea of the 15-Minute City, where workspaces, homes, shops, entertainment and education are accessible within a short commute. Access to local workspaces not only reduces commuting time and associated emissions but also offers a cost-effective and efficient solution for businesses looking to reduce overheads. 

Despite all the benefits of hybrid working, some companies continue to mandate five days in the office over concerns about the efficacy of remote work arrangements, team cohesion and productivity. It is critical that these organizations take a closer look at the impact on their team, their organization and the sustainable future. Embracing hybrid working is not just about a happier and engaged workforce, having employees work closer to home will bring us closer to achieving our carbon emissions targets. 

Achieving Carbon Neutrality

The full potential of hybrid working for people, businesses and the planet is yet to be seen, and our role is to ensure our hybrid working solutions are as efficient and planet-friendly as possible. Eighty percent of our flexible workspace openings in Canada are now in small towns and suburban areas, helping companies provide a productive workspace closer to where their employees live. 

As we stand at a critical juncture in the fight against climate change, Canadian businesses have an opportunity to contribute to the nation’s carbon neutrality goals by embracing hybrid work practices. The single biggest change businesses can make is to provide people with the choice to work closer to where they need to be. By making a commitment to sustainable work models, companies will not only drive positive change within their organizations but also play a vital role in shaping a more environmentally conscious future for Canada and the world.

The path to Canada’s carbon neutrality by 2050 is paved with bold decisions and innovative solutions. It is time for Canadian companies to embrace hybrid work, empower teams to work locally in their neighbourhoods, and lead the way towards a greener, more sustainable tomorrow.