Our Power, Our Planet: Research shows hybrid working can cut carbon emissions by up to 90%
World Earth Day, IWG puts a spotlight on how reduced commuting and more localised working can support the environment
Hybrid working could reduce work-related carbon emissions by up to 90% by enabling employees to work closer to home, according to a study from International Workplace Group (IWG) in partnership with Arup. The transition to more localised, hybrid models of working is becoming an increasingly important part of how organisations, communities and individuals can collectively reduce their environmental impact – the theme of this year’s World Earth Day.
IWG, the world’s largest platform for work with brands including Spaces and Regus, measured the environmental impact of hybrid working, based on both building and transport emissions, on six cities across the US and UK with a deep dive on two major carbon contributors, London and LA. Others examined were New York City, Atlanta, Manchester and Glasgow.
Cities in the U.S. showed the largest potential carbon savings, due to the prevalence of commuting by car, with Atlanta (90% reduction) just edging out Los Angeles (87%) and New York (82%). The potential carbon savings remain significant for UK cities, with Glasgow (80%), Manchester (70%) and London (49%) all showing potential to benefit from workers reducing their commutes and working closer to home as part of a hybrid model.
The findings show that a traditional five-day commute into a city centre has the largest carbon footprint, with distance identified as the key driver of emissions. In London, emissions were reduced by 49% when workers split their time between a city centre HQ and a local workspace, and by 43% when splitting time between a local workspace and home, compared to a traditional commuting pattern.
South Africa is no exception. According to the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), private cars contribute significantly to South Africa’s transport emissions and our urban centres are famous for their congestion, with minibus taxis weaving through traffic like springboks dodging lions.
According to a study conducted by Zutari, a leading South African buildings and infrastructure engineering advisory firm, transport plays a central role in South Africa’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, contributing approximately 14% of national energy-related CO₂ emissions. With road transport responsible for 90% of that, the way we travel, particularly to and from work, has a considerable impact on the environment.
Hybrid and more flexible ways of working continue to demonstrably transform the way people work worldwide; the rapid growth of IWG’s global network is testament to this demand for more distributed ways of working, as it enables this shift. By supporting more localised ways of working, this model reflects a broader shift towards shared responsibility across individuals, communities and organisations. Hybrid working from effective, high-quality workspaces closer to where people live allows teams to meet and collaborate in person when needed, while leveraging digital tools to work efficiently from anywhere.
The last few years have demonstrated that organisations can thrive under this model; not only do businesses see tangible productivity benefits – hybrid working could boost productivity by 11% in the US and 12% in the UK*** – but employees benefit from greater flexibility, reduced stress, and improved work-life balance – equivalent to a 7–8% pay rise in perceived value.
A further environmental impact study conducted by IWG and Arup showed that businesses adopting this model are already delivering measurable environmental benefits. Findings showed that companies adopting hybrid models have reduced their energy usage by nearly a fifth (19%) through more efficient use of office space and access to flexible workspaces.
As of early 2026, it has been acknowledged that commuting in South Africa is a notable source of greenhouse gas emissions, posing a significant environmental concern. Reducing commute frequency—particularly by implementing hybrid work arrangements that allow employees to work closer to home—has emerged as an effective strategy for achieving meaningful carbon savings. With rising fuel prices and stricter carbon taxes taking effect, avoiding the long, daily commute is increasingly seen as a practical way to manage both personal costs and environmental impact.
Mark Dixon, Founder and CEO of International Workplace Group, commented:
“With the potential to reduce work-related emissions by up to 90%, the findings of our research with Arup are clear: five-day commuting to city centre offices generates the largest carbon footprint, and simply reducing travel time can lead to a significant drop in emissions.
Changing long-established patterns of behaviour takes time, and supportive policies and infrastructure play an important role in enabling companies to expand hybrid working and make it easier for employees to work closer to home.
The single biggest change we can all make right now is to provide people with the choice to work closer to where they need to be, and with a lower impact on the environment. The results of our research with Arup show clearly that, given the right will, small shifts in everyday working patterns can meaningfully reduce our overall carbon footprint, making this change well within our power – right now.”
