Telecommute

Commuting is likely to be a large component of your firm’s carbon footprint. REI found that 20% of its carbon footprint was generated by commuting.

Inefficiency – 77% of commuters or 105 million commuters drive alone. With an average commute of 16 miles each way and an average mpg of 24.7, then drive-alone commuting uses 127 Million gallons of gas annually.



For every gallon of gasoline that is consumed:
24 pounds total green house gas
5 pounds from drilling, refining, and distributing
19 pounds from driving

Opportunity - If 25% of the drive alone commuters were to telecommute just 1 day per week then

• Save 1.5 Billion gallons of gas annually. For each 100 employees who telecommute 1 day per week, then 6,200 gallons of gas saved annually.
• Avoid 18 Million tons of global warming pollution or 74 tons per 100 employees participating in 1 day per week.
• The direct benefits to your business of telecommuting are recruiting and retaining employees, employee productivity when undisturbed, potential reduction in real estate costs.

Implementation
1. Define a telecommute policy that fits your business.
2. Encourage telecommuting.
3. Track miles saved.
4. Determine if tax incentives are available.

Sources

• REI found 20% of carbon footprint was generated from commuting as reported in the Economist.
• Number of commuters US Census Press Releases
• Average one way commute of 16 miles. ABC News: Poll: Traffic in the United States
• Average gas mileage National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Gallon of gas and global warming pollution Fuel Economy Basics
• Article on the benefits of telecommuting Make telecommuting work for your business

Resources
Sample telecommute policy from Columbia University Telecommuting Policy
and Pacific Bell Sample Agreement and Policy