It's time to think about Employee Commuting's GHG emissions
Why does it matter?
Reports show that Scope 3 GHG emissions is the mail sources of emission for many business, which accounts for about 70 - 80% of total business GHG emissions. Employee commuting is a significant source of Scope 3 emissions for many companies, accounts for around 10-15% of a company's Scope 3 emissions.
Reducing employee commuting emissions can significantly lower a company's overall carbon footprint. Despite this, research shows that only half of the 20 largest companies measure the impact of remote work, and only a few have taken action while the other half had not done anything. In this article, we'll look at how to calculate employee commuting GHG emissions and offer some suggestions for reducing your team's carbon footprint.
How to calculate employee commuting GHG emissions?
According to Greenhouse Gas Protocol, there are 3 methods to calculate GHG emissions from employee commuting.
Fuel-based method, which involves determining the amount of fuel consumed during commuting and applying the appropriate emission factor for that fuel
Distance-based method, which involves collecting data from employees on commuting patterns (e.g., distance travelled and mode used for commuting) and applying appropriate emission factors for the modes used
Average-data method, which involves estimating emissions from employee commuting based on average (e.g., national) data on commuting patterns
Zoom in - Step by Step Guides
Step 1 : Collection of data
In a corporate environment, the responsibility of collecting data related to the commute of employees falls on either the Human Resources or Finance team. For small and medium-sized businesses, this process may not be as organized, and employee-based surveys become a reliable source for such data. It is crucial to gather information on various aspects of travel, including the purpose of the trip, date of travel, city of origin and destination, mode of transportation, and distance traveled, to enable more comprehensive analysis at a later
stage.
Step 2 : Doing the calculations
The data must be multiplied by predetermined emission factors to obtain the output of each mode of transportation and distance traveled in terms of carbon emissions. These predetermined emission variables depend on the destination, the mode of transportation, and the time of travel. The overall emissions for this category are calculated as the sum of the carbon emissions from each method of transportation.
Step 3 : Analysis and Action
This step focuses on identifying the routes that have produced the most emissions, the months of the year with the highest emissions, and the modes of transportation that have produced the most emissions. This aids businesses in creating policies and employee action programs to make decisions about commuting that reduce carbon emissions.
So what Next?
Hereunder are some of the options
Promote cycling and walking
To promote cycling and walking among employees, companies can provide valuable information about nearby trails and routes, as well as tips on where to find affordable bikes. It's also important to ensure that the workplace is equipped with the necessary facilities, such as secure bike storage, showers, and changing rooms, to make cycling or walking an attractive option for your workforce.
Provide public transportation passes and loans for cycling to work.
To assist their employees with transportation to and from work, many companies provide interest-free cycle-to-work loans, which allow employees to purchase equipment and bicycles at reduced prices. Repayment can be done through planned wage concessions. Another option is to promote the use of public transportation by offering season tickets or travel pass loans for employees. Providing such amenities can make commuting easier and more affordable for workers.
Create a car-sharing or a bus service for employees.
Motorized road transportation is one of the major contributors to global CO2 emissions. However, your company can minimize the environmental impact of your employees' travel and provide them with cost-effective alternatives by implementing a carpooling program or a work bus service. This will not only reduce carbon emissions but also offer employees a convenient and sustainable way to commute to work.
Don't forget Rewards
Motivating employees by providing both financial and non-financial rewards is an effective approach. Incentivize employees by providing them with financial incentives every time they use a sustainable mode of transportation. Additionally, employees who switch to eco-friendly transportation methods can receive non-monetary rewards such as coupons, awards, or extra vacation days along with monetary incentives.
Internal awareness raising program
Encouraging employees to become advocates for sustainable transportation is a powerful approach to promoting awareness and engagement. Provide information on the positive impact of sustainable transportation on the environment and their health, and encourage them to share it with their colleagues, friends, and family. You could also organize events, workshops, or seminars to educate employees about sustainable transportation options and their benefits. By empowering your employees to become ambassadors for sustainability, you can create a culture of environmental responsibility and inspire meaningful change.
Cooperate with your local government
Businesses can consult with the local government and neighboring companies to explore sustainable transportation alternatives.
References
5 ways to help staff reduce their carbon footprint from commuting
Tacking Scope 3 Emissions : How to calculate Employee Commute emissions
How occupiers need to report on carbon emissions from employee commuting
Factbox: How companies account for remote work in their carbon footprints
How can companies change the commuting habits of their employees?
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