A synthesis of the systemic impact of remote work on greenhouse gas emissions and health

Abstract

The widespread adoption of remote work, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has renewed interest in its environmental and health impacts as organisations reconsider office-based work. We adopt a systems perspective, combining causal loop modelling and network centrality analyses to examine interdependencies between remote work, transport, building energy use, and health. With this, we identify leverage points and impact pathways which affect emissions and health outcomes. In terms of carbon emissions, commuting reductions can be offset by increased non-commuting travel and residential energy use. Office space management, which is involved in several feedback loops, emerges as a critical determinant of whether energy savings in buildings are realised. Health impacts are similarly mixed and vary across behavioural and socio-demographic contexts. Home-based work is associated with adverse physical-health outcomes linked to reduced activity and poor ergonomics, emphasising the role of home work environments. Overall, the environmental and health effects of remote work are highly context-dependent and unlikely to deliver substantial benefits without complementary measures. Particularly, active travel promotion and flexible office space and energy management offer strong opportunities for environmental and health co-benefits.