The drop in emissions associated with remote work was largely because of reductions in transportation emissions, researchers say. (Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press)
A recent study reveals that federal employees in Ottawa generated 25% fewer emissions when working from home compared to full-time in-office work. This reduction is even more significant for federal employees in Quebec, who saw a 64% decrease, attributed mainly to the higher energy efficiency of homes in the province.
The study, commissioned by the government and conducted by Carleton University, surveyed 1,500 public sector employees, including those from the Canada Revenue Agency. Researchers looked at emissions linked to transportation, home energy use, office spaces, and internet usage. These findings arrive as federal employees face a new mandate requiring at least three days of in-office work each week, an increase from the previous two-day minimum.
Researchers found that remote work is associated with a drop in greenhouse gas emissions in a new study that focuses on federal employees, a group that has been pushing back against government mandates requiring increasing amounts of time in-office. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press)
The report highlights that each additional in-office day for an Ottawa-based employee could contribute around 235 kilograms of carbon emissions annually. Researcher Farzam Sepanta, part of the Carleton team, commented that hybrid work models could offer a sustainable alternative if workers adopt eco-friendly habits in areas such as home energy use and transportation.
Data collection occurred between December 2023 and February 2024, focusing on employees from Quebec and the National Capital Region, which includes Ottawa and surrounding areas. Survey participants reported on their work commutes and household characteristics through "transportation diaries." The study revealed that remote work led to over 60% fewer transportation emissions, with a slight 10% increase in household emissions—a figure that was lower in Quebec, where homes tend to use electric heating instead of the natural gas more common in Ontario.
The findings have spurred public sector unions to advocate for more flexible work arrangements. Sharon DeSousa, president of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), welcomed the study, emphasizing that remote work aligns with creating a sustainable, modern workforce. PSAC, along with other unions, is now pushing for a review of the federal government’s in-office mandate, arguing that it risks ignoring the environmental benefits and employee preferences for hybrid work models.
The government maintains that the increased in-office time promotes better collaboration and productivity, a sentiment echoed by Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who recently voiced support for in-office mandates to boost Ottawa’s downtown economy. However, the new mandate has been met with resistance, particularly as the pandemic pushed 40% of Canada’s workforce into remote work at its height, with many workers and experts citing positive impacts on productivity and job satisfaction.
Terri Griffith, a professor at Simon Fraser University, notes that research consistently supports the advantages of hybrid work, not just for productivity and employee well-being but also for reducing emissions. She argues that mandating more office days may contradict the government’s climate commitments, as remote work has proven environmental benefits.
Federal employees have been vocal about their concerns, with over 100,000 PSAC members striking in 2023 partly due to opposition to mandatory office returns. Although recent agreements with unions include protections against arbitrary remote work policies, the recent shift to a three-day in-office minimum has reignited debates. Internal government communications reportedly revealed that officials anticipated backlash over the mandate, weighing options for a more flexible approach. The study reinforces that hybrid work benefits extend beyond convenience, offering environmental advantages that were early motivations behind telework when it was first proposed in the 1970s.
For many, the study strengthens the case for hybrid models that balance in-office collaboration with the environmental and personal benefits of working remotely.
