The widespread shift to hybrid working among office-based employees is not as good for the environment as many commentators would have us believe, according to recent research published by Cushman & Wakefield. Although the company is a global real-estate giant that may have a vested interest in bolstering the commercial property market, its study’s findings still give pause for thought.
Based on the experiences of Australian companies, the research has found that the hybrid approach produces more greenhouse gas emissions than the conventional five-day week based at HQ. The problem is that, while organisations are continuing to heat and power their offices, their employees are using more energy in their homes.
As a result, although many firms are cutting their own energy consumption and direct CO2 emissions, their indirect (scope-three) emissions, which aren’t widely measured, are on the rise. This situation is likely to cause compliance risks in future, as the regulatory pressure to report scope-three emissions builds around the world.