Five years after the COVID-19 pandemic redefined the way we work, one thing is becoming increasingly clear: working from home isn’t just a convenience — it’s also a win for the environment.
Before 2020, the American workweek followed a familiar rhythm for the vast majority of people. Nearly 76% of U.S. workers in 2019 commuted solo in their cars, logging thousands of miles a year just getting to and from work. But in March 2020, as businesses shuttered their physical offices and sent employees home in the name of public health, that daily drive came to a sudden halt. Remote work became the new normal, and many Americans realized that their jobs could be done just as effectively from their kitchens, bedrooms, or home offices.
While remote work was already on the rise before the pandemic, it skyrocketed during 2020, marking a fundamental shift in how — and where — people do their jobs. According to data from the U.S. Department of Labor, remote work surged that year and, while in-office work has rebounded in many sectors, millions of workers have continued to embrace hybrid or fully remote arrangements.
The environmental impact? It’s surprisingly significant.
Cutting Carbon, One Less Commute at a Time
The U.S. Census Bureau found that by 2022, only 68.7% of workers were commuting alone by car, down from pre-pandemic levels. That 7% drop may seem modest, but it represents millions of fewer cars on the road each day — and a massive reduction in daily vehicle emissions.
Those who ignored President Trump’s executive order to return to work have now received over a month’s warning.
Starting this week, those who still fail to return to office will be placed on administrative leave. https://t.co/7XRj6W21eX
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 24, 2025
The average gas-powered vehicle emits around 400 grams of carbon dioxide per mile, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. With fewer people commuting, that’s a substantial cut in greenhouse gas emissions.
A 2023 joint study by Microsoft and Cornell University found that employees who work from home full time produce up to 54% less carbon emissions compared to those working entirely onsite. Even hybrid workers, who split their week between home and office, generate lower emissions overall due to fewer commuting days.
Increased use of digital devices at home — laptops, routers, and smartphones — has only a minimal impact on carbon emissions, especially when compared to the pollution associated with daily commutes. This shift is one of the rare positive side effects of the pandemic: a measurable environmental benefit.
The Caveats: It’s Complicated
That said, the relationship between remote work and the environment isn’t perfectly linear. Remote workers may find themselves driving more for other reasons — running errands, socializing, or getting out of the house for a change of scenery. In fact, the Cornell study noted that personal vehicle use increases slightly for people working from home, especially those on hybrid schedules who may live farther from their workplaces.
This means that when hybrid workers do go into the office, their commute may be longer — and potentially more polluting — than the average full-time commuter. Still, the overall emissions savings remain in favor of remote work.
The Corporate Pushback
Despite these benefits, not all employers are on board with long-term remote work. Some high-profile executives have been vocal about their skepticism.
Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan Chase, has called for employees to return to the office full-time, arguing it’s better for collaboration and business outcomes. Dimon recently emphasized that decisions about work location should prioritize the needs of the company and its clients — not individual preferences. Environmental impacts, he implied, were not a deciding factor.
Elon Musk has gone even further. In interviews and public statements, he’s blasted remote work as both ineffective and unfair, especially to blue-collar workers who don’t have the luxury of working from home. Musk even mandated that most federal workers return to the office full-time — a move widely seen as politically motivated, and one that could have nationwide environmental consequences.
As of 2024, about 1.1 million federal workers are eligible for hybrid schedules, with over 200,000 working entirely remotely. Requiring these individuals to resume daily commutes could lead to a surge in transportation-related emissions, particularly if most of those commutes involve gas-powered vehicles.
Cornell professor Fengqi You warned that bringing all these employees back into offices across the country would significantly raise the nation’s greenhouse gas output — a concern that has largely gone unaddressed by policy-makers advocating for an end to remote work.
Greener Choices for the Office-Bound
Whether working from home or returning to the office, there are still ways individuals can make environmentally conscious decisions.
1. Opt for sustainable transportation: If possible, take public transit, bike, or walk to work. Electric bikes (e-bikes) offer a practical alternative for longer commutes and have grown in popularity since the pandemic began. Carpooling is also an option — in 2019, about 9% of U.S. workers shared rides. That number dipped during COVID but rebounded to 8.6% by 2022.
2. Minimize driving during the day: For those who must drive to the office, leaving the car parked during work hours can help. Walking to lunch or nearby errands not only cuts emissions but can also provide health benefits.
3. Bring your own lunch and reusables: Remote workers often prepare meals at home, reducing the use of single-use plastics. Office workers can adopt similar habits by bringing lunch in reusable containers, along with their own utensils and coffee mugs.
4. Reduce energy use at home: For hybrid or in-office days, make sure to turn off lights, electronics, and HVAC systems before leaving the house. This not only conserves energy but also saves money. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, something as simple as turning off lights can translate to noticeable savings over time.
Remote Work and the Road Ahead
Remote work isn’t just a lifestyle shift — it’s a climate strategy, even if unofficial. The collective reduction in car travel since 2020 has already delivered measurable benefits to air quality and emissions levels. The question now is whether companies and governments will acknowledge this or continue to prioritize office-based routines that increase environmental harm.
As work culture continues to evolve, it’s worth considering not just what is best for productivity or profits, but also what is best for the planet. After all, the daily commute isn’t just about getting from point A to point B — it’s a global emissions issue hiding in plain sight.
For now, every Zoom call, remote check-in, or day spent working in sweatpants instead of a suit represents more than a personal convenience. It’s a small, yet powerful, step toward a cleaner, more sustainable world.
