By Rex Kellett, Senior Consultant
The initial lockdown in early 2020 saw significant decreases in NO2 pollution across European Capitals with a huge reduction in social and commuting vehicle movements.
Although this has rebounded somewhat since the first lockdown period, many workers are still home-working and for businesses in a number of sectors, continued home-working options are forming part of their long-term plans.
Groundwork’s Sustainable Business Consultants have been supporting businesses to adjust their carbon emissions footprint to reflect these significant changes to working practices.
The impact on a business’ emissions typically depends on several factors, including;
- Are the offices still being lit and heated for occasional staff visits?
- What additional heat, light and power are the workers now incurring at home?
- What was the commuting footprint that is now being avoided?
It’s important that this shift from business owned work premises to worker’s homes is included in the business’ emissions reporting as it may have a positive or negative effect.
For example, if business premises are being partially mothballed the business may show a reduction in emissions however the carbon emissions have now been transferred to the workers own homes.
However, a worker that normally walks to work may actually increase their carbon emissions footprint by heating their home, whereas a worker that avoids commuting by car may reduce theirs, despite heating the home.
Groundwork are able to help calculate the impacts on your carbon footprint of your changing working practices and identify potential gains towards net-zero aims, contact us today to speak to a consultant.
