Today is Earth Day, and at Atlas, we're taking a moment to reflect on how remote work is shaping a more sustainable future.
What began as a short-term response to the pandemic has evolved into a lasting shift in how we work, and the environmental benefits are becoming increasingly clear.
Beyond greater flexibility and improved work-life balance, remote and hybrid work models are also helping to advance global sustainability goals.
The Effects of Remote and Hybrid Work in Our Planet
Remote and hybrid work arrangements are not just reshaping how we approach our jobs, they're also playing a growing role in the fight against climate change. From cutting emissions to improving air quality, the environmental impact of working from home is becoming increasingly clear. Below, we explore three key ways remote work is making a difference.
Reduced Carbon Emissions from Commuting
One of the most immediate environmental benefits of remote work is the reduction in emissions from daily commuting. Avoiding a regular drive or train journey significantly cuts greenhouse gas output.
According to research by Cornell University, full-time remote workers reduce their work-related emissions by an estimated 54%. Even hybrid arrangements (working remotely 2–4 days a week) result in a 11–29% reduction per person.
Scaling this up, a 10% increase in the U.S. remote workforce could reduce transport emissions by 192 million tons of CO₂ annually, that is roughly 10% of total transportation-related emissions in the country. Globally, just one remote workday per week could reduce CO₂ emissions by 24 million tons per year, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average passenger vehicle emits about 4.6 metric tons of CO₂ per year. With that in mind, one remote workday per week globally could reduce CO₂ emissions by the equivalent of removing approximately 5.2 million cars from the road annually.
Decreased Energy Consumption in Office Buildings
Remote work not only reduces travel, but it also decreases the need for energy-intensive office operations. With fewer employees on-site, many organisations have consolidated their office spaces or adopted hot-desking policies, reducing heating, cooling, and lighting demands.
This shift can lead to up to 28% savings in building-related emissions. While home energy use may increase slightly (due to heating or electronics), the overall environmental impact remains favourable due to the significant reduction in transportation emissions.
Improved Air Quality and Reduced Traffic Congestion
Lower traffic volumes during the height of the pandemic demonstrated the impact of fewer vehicles on the road. In some cities, traffic decreased by up to 90%, and pollutants like nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) fell sharply.
In Barcelona, for instance, just two remote days per week led to a 5% drop in traffic emissions and a 4% reduction in NO₂ levels. When extended to four days, these figures rose to 15% and 10%, respectively.
Cleaner air has a direct impact on public health and overall urban liveability, making remote work a meaningful contributor to environmental quality.
Remote Work and Public Transport: A Balancing Act
While the environmental benefits of reduced car travel are evident, public transport systems have experienced a significant decline in ridership. Studies show that a 1% drop in on-site workers results in a 2.3% decrease in public transit usage, more than twice the rate of decline in car use.
To maintain sustainable urban mobility, cities and governments may need to:
Enhance off-peak transit services
Offer incentives for occasional or hybrid commuters
Expand cycling and walking infrastructure
Remote work should work alongside sustainable transport, not in place of it.
Looking Ahead: Integrating Remote Work into Climate Strategies
While not a standalone solution, remote and hybrid work models can support broader climate action plans. Each avoided commute, downsized office, and energy-efficient remote setup contributes to a larger environmental gain. As work evolves, so too can our approach to climate resilience, and remote work is proving to be a meaningful step in the right direction.
How Atlas Can Help
At Atlas, we help businesses embrace the benefits of remote work while simplifying global expansion. Our Employer of Record (EOR) solution allows companies to compliantly hire talent in over 160 countries without the need to establish legal entities, empowering them to build distributed teams that are not only efficient and agile, but also aligned with sustainability goals.
By enabling businesses to tap into global talent pools and reduce reliance on centralized office operations, Atlas supports a future of work that is flexible, inclusive, and better for the planet.
