Does hybrid working benefit the environment?

In recent years, hybrid working, combining telecommuting and presence in the office, has become widespread. So much so that it is now the norm for many companies, combining face-to-face days with teleworking. While this model has transformed the way people work, it also raises an essential question: is this increased flexibility good for the environment? And does it have an environmental impact? On the face of it, the positive effects on the environment are clear to see: reduced commuting, energy optimization and new consumption habits... Hybrid working could well be an essential lever for limiting our carbon footprint.

Massive reduction in travel-related emissions

Telecommuting, the cornerstone of the hybrid model, significantly reduces commuting. In France, these commutes account for around 30% of CO₂ emissions from the transport sector, according to the latest government statistics. With one day of telecommuting per week, an employee can reduce his or her annual carbon footprint by 271 kg of CO₂, according to a study by the French Agency for Ecological Transition (ADEME).
For companies, this organizational change represents a major ecological asset. For example, according to a survey conducted by the Institut Sapiens, if 40% of the French workforce worked from home two days a week, this would reduce greenhouse gas emissions linked to business travel by 5.4 million tonnes . On a global scale, partial teleworking could contribute to an annual reduction of 54 million tonnes of CO₂, according to Global Workplace Analytics.

Optimizing workspaces

Hybrid working has encouraged many companies to rethink the use of their offices. Fewer employees present simultaneously means a reduction in the surface area required, and therefore in the associated energy costs. Concepts such as flexoffice and hot desking are becoming more widespread, helping tooptimize space occupancy and limit their ecological footprint.
Some groups are going even further, by closing floors or sharing space. Microsoft, for example, has reduced the surface area of its offices while increasing their energy efficiency, thereby limiting the environmental impact of its activities.

Controlled digital practices

Although the increase in digital tools is often criticized for its carbon footprint, hybrid working can limit this impact if companies adopt the right practices. Videoconferencing, when it replaces physical travel, is far less polluting. A study by Carbon Trust showed thata videoconference meeting emits up to 94% less CO₂ than a physical meeting involving air travel. For travel via personal vehicles this remains just as significant.
What's more, companies that invest in eco-friendly servers and responsible digital practices (such as limiting e-mail or optimizing cloud storage) amplify the environmental benefits of teleworking.
When it comes to days spent in the office, hybrid working encourages the use of alternative means of transport. By staggering arrival and departure times, it helps to relieve congestion on public transport infrastructures, encouraging the use of solutions such as bicycles and scooters. A growing number of companies offer subsidies to encourage their employees to adopt soft mobility.

A transition to more sustainable habits

Hybrid working is also transforming employees' lifestyles. Spending more time at home, employees are turning more to local shops and local produce. According to a GreenFlex survey, 62% of teleworkers say they have changed the way they consume, favoring short circuits and sustainable options. What's more, by avoiding the daily commute, employees save time which they often invest in more environmentally virtuous activities, such as gardening or home cooking, thus reducing their personal ecological footprint.

As companies seek to combine attractiveness, performance and sustainability, hybrid working is emerging as a model for the future, not only for its organizational advantages, but also for its ecological potential. Fewer journeys, less wasted space and more time for sustainable choices: the future of work may also be the future of the environment.