Member Article

'Work smarter' is advice for saving the planet

Campaigners for smarter working in the UK have offered an immediate answer to some of the problems of the environmental impact of human activity on the globe: the world needs to reform the way it works. According to Work Wise UK, the widespread introduction of smarter working practices will significantly reduce the need for travel, both commuting and for business, making a huge impact to the levels of CO2 emissions from transport sources. Enabling more home and flexible working will help to reduce peak time congestion, a major contributor to pollution levels.

Phil Flaxton, chief executive of Work Wise UK, said: “The need to work from nine to five, five days a week, dates back to the industrial revolution. However, this is unnecessary in the modern age of the internet and a globalised 24/7 economy. The realisation of the damage our working patterns are causing the environment further underlines the need for us to have a workplace revolution so that we can minimise the impact of human activity on the environment.

“This will probably be one of the least costly, and most effective steps that companies could take to make their contribution to reducing emissions. “Adopting smarter working practices is a win-win situation: not only will it help reduce emissions, it will also provide staff with a better work-life balance and make them more productive.”

Further information about Work Wise UK can be found at www.workwiseuk.org.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .