Environment: ENEA-Bank of Italy, remote work reduces emissions by 75%

A joint study by ENEA and the Bank of Italy, based on 4,255 responses from Bank of Italy staff, showed that remote work can cut CO₂ emissions by up to 75% thanks to reduced daily commuting.

Specifically, the study found that on a typical remote workday, average daily per-capita emissions drops to 1,1 kg di CO₂e, about four times lower than those generated by commuting (4.1 kg of CO₂e).

Emissions linked to additional energy consumption at home are are due by 63% to heating and 29% to cooling, while computers and lighting account for 8%.

“These estimates could act as a benchmark for other institutions and companies, enabling them to more accurately assess indirect greenhouse gas emissions from remote work” pointed out the ENEA cross-departmental group that conducted the study.

In addition to average emissions, the study also breaks down emissions by climate zone, derived from individual increases in household energy consumption and applicable to each day of remote work, regardless of the month in which the work is performed.

The average home-to-work distance recorded in the survey was 22.2 kilometers, which takes an average of 42 minutes to travel. For teleworkers, who primarily work from home, the average distance to the office is 78.4 kilometers, with an average travel time of approximately 87 minutes. The most commonly used modes of transportation are trains and private cars, accounting for 39% and 38% of the kilometers traveled, respectively. The cars used are primarily diesel or gasoline-powered (70%), followed by traditional hybrids (14%), LPG or natural gas (10%), plug-in hybrids (3%), and electric vehicles (3%). Thirteen percent of employees commute to work exclusively on foot, while just under 4% use motorcycles, bicycles or electric scooters.

“The study shows that remote work s highly effective at reducing energy consumption, which in the current geopolitical context acts as a vital strategic tool. The International Energy Agency (IEA) confirms that remote work is among the measures recommended for curbing energy demand and mitigate the impact of rising prices on consumers”, said the ENEA research team.