Member Article

Flexible working new weapon in fight against climate change

FLEXIBLE WORKING NEW WEAPON IN FIGHT BACK AGAINST CLIMATE CHANG

There’s a new and unlikely weapon in the fight against climate change – flexible working. As flexible workspaces are now increasingly located outside of major city centres and business districts, lengthy and environmentally-damaging commutes are becoming a thing of the past.

In fact, as the growth of flexi-working explodes in smaller towns and suburban areas across the UK, new research reveals that, by 2029, ‘outer city’ office spaces will reduce carbon emissions by the equivalent of 65 transatlantic flights between London and New York each year. That’s 1310,000 metric tonnes of carbon stopped from entering the atmosphere annually, just by working nearer to home.

The Suburban Economic Study, commissioned by Regus and conducted by independent economists, projected the environmental benefits of locating flexible workspaces in smaller towns, cities and suburban areas between now and 2029.

What a difference a centre makes The study reveals that by allowing people to work closer to home, a local office space will save workers an average of 411,000 of commuting days per annum by 2029.

The report also revealed that those moving from home working to a flexible workspace will be doing their bit for the environment. That’s because it’s likely to be more energy efficient to heat and light a shared co-working space than a home for one, solitary worker.

Mark Dixon, CEO for Regus’ parent company IWG, said: “Commuting can be uncomfortable, unfriendly, and incredibly time-consuming. It is also a huge source of global pollution. In an age where every business and individual has a responsibility for their environmental impact, commuting into major cities looks increasingly old fashioned.

“Over the next decade we expect to open many more locations in smaller towns, cities and suburban areas. Our vision is that, in the near future, there will be a professional workspace available on every corner ending the idea of commuting for good. This will benefit our personal health, as well as that of our planet.”

Business benefits The rise in local working is largely driven by big companies adopting flexible working policies; moving away from relying on a single, central HQ and instead basing employees outside of the major metropolitan hubs in flex spaces.

The study also revealed the economic benefits of these suburban spaces and found the ‘flex economy’ could contribute more than £12 billion to local economies over the next decade. It found that on average, 231 jobs are created in communities that contain a flexible workspace, pumping more than £15 million into the local economy as a result.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Richard Morris, CEO, IWG UK .