Hybrid Working Businesses Reduce Energy Usage by a Fifth: Research Report

April 22, 2024: Hybrid working has enabled businesses to cut energy usage by a fifth* as they replace large city centre office space with smaller, more energy efficient spaces including flexible workspaces, according to new research released today.

IWG, the world’s largest provider of hybrid working solutions with brands including Spaces and Regus, surveyed more than 500 leaders and facilities managers at businesses that have adopted hybrid working policies. The findings revealed that average energy consumption in those companies has fallen by 19% since the introduction of hybrid working policies, benefiting both the environment and their bottom line.

Almost half of those surveyed (44%) have reduced their traditional office space by a quarter (25%), leading to reduced energy consumption and operational costs. A further 19% have achieved even greater reductions, slashing office space by 26-50%. 84% said hybrid working has been key to reduction of their company’s overall energy usage and carbon footprint, with even greater reduction predicted as 79% of businesses said they intend to explore additional avenues for reducing energy consumption, such as downsizing their existing office spaces or facilitating access to flexible workspaces.

Smaller, regional flexible workspaces boast higher occupancy rates and consequently lower emissions per employee. 

A previous environmental impact study conducted by IWG and ARUP found that working closer to home can slash carbon emissions by up to 70% in Manchester (UK), 87% in Los Angeles (USA), 82% in New York City, and almost 90% in Atlanta, primarily due to reductions in building and transport emissions***.

Mark Dixon, IWG CEO stated: “The global shift to hybrid working is not only bringing strong productivity and financial advantages to companies and work-life balance improvements to employees, but significant environmental benefits too. This latest research confirms that businesses that have adopted the hybrid model have already reduced their energy usage significantly.”

“The environmental benefits of hybrid working do not end there. By simply empowering people to work close to where they live, enabling them to split their time between a local workplace and home, earlier research by Arup has shown that this model has the potential to reduce a worker’s work-related carbon emissions by 90%.”

* Research among 511 business leaders and facilities managers in the UK who work hybrid in April 2024 by Mortar Research. Mortar Research is accredited by the Market Research Society.

** Research among 2,000 participants in February 2023 by Mortar Research. Mortar Research is accredited by the Market Research Society

*** Study titled The future of work: A cleaner, hybrid future published in April 2023 by IWG and ARUP