Go Green with Telecommuting

China emits more carbon emissions than any other country in the world.  In 2008, China surpassed the U.S. as the top global polluter.  Since then, China has committed to taking drastic measures to reduce its carbon footprint and has invested millions of dollars in developing green technology. According to a recent report released by China’s telecom sector, China cut emissions by nearly 50 million tons in 2008 by increasing telecommuting.

The global power’s latest strategy to reduce carbon emissions is to get more vehicles off the streets by increasing its telecommuting workforce. Virtual meetings and an increase in digital records have all contributed to a lower emissions rate.  The study projected that the increase in telework would continue to benefit China’s green initiative and could cut emissions by 600 million tons by 2030.

China is just one of many countries to go green with telecommuting.  According to recent reports by the U.S. Department of Commerce, more than 34 million Americans work remotely.  This figure is expected to rise to almost 63 million by the year 2016.  This shift to a virtual business model will reduce the U.S.’s carbon pollution by 25%.  BT Global Services, a network provider and IT services company, recently instituted a “Work Anywhere” policy.  The program allows employees the flexibility to work remotely.  BT claims that the program has reduced its emissions by nearly 58%.  Proponents of the program have lauded it as a “way to save fuel, ease the strain of transportation infrastructure and increase efficiencies.”  But companies don’t need to institute a comprehensive telecommuting program to save energy.  Studies show that if individuals work at home least 1.6 days out of the week, we could save 1.35 billion gallons of fuel and cut carbon emissions by 26 billion pounds a year.

So in short, telecommuting saves employers money, saves employees time and could potentially save the planet.