Negative and positive effects from employee commuting

Working with employee transport can significantly reduce CO2e emissions and improve employees' health. On average, employee travel contributes more than 0.5 tons of CO2e per employee per year. Most of these emissions are from transport by car.

On the positive side, active commuting can cause a big positive impact. Cycle commuters are on average 4 kg lighter compared to those who commute by car. Physical inactivity is one of the leading causes of disease in Europe, and the positive health benefits of regularly active mobility (cycling, walking, scootering) have been shown in countless of scientific studies.

Commuting travel and transport additionally have social impacts that are often ignored, as different groups travel in different ways. Disfavouring certain groups can often been done inadvertently when for example focusing on access via car. For example, women on average have more sustainable travel habits than men (more public transport, cycling, walking) contributing to 20% less transport CO2e emissions than men on average. This is despite the fact that women usually have fewer opportunities to work at home, and have more caring activities (e.g. dropping children at pre-school).

An employer can do a lot to make a more positive impact

Employers have a significant role to play in making a positive impact on commuting practices. By encouraging and facilitating alternative commuting options (or working form home) such as cycling, public transport, or carpooling, employers can help reduce the carbon footprint associated with employee travel.

Providing incentives for sustainable commuting, offering flexible working hours, and supporting remote work where possible are effective strategies to reduce emissions and promote healthier lifestyles among employees. Employers can also invest in infrastructure such as secure bike storage and shower facilities to make cycling a more attractive option for employees.

This is part of your organisation’s Scope 3 emissions

Traditionally commuting has been thought of as the employee’s responsibility, but commuting travel is included in the scope 3 emissions of an organisation. Scope 3 emissions include all indirect emissions that occur in a company's value chain.

Where you locate your business and the ability or lack of ability to commute there sustainability (or work from home) are part of the sustainability responsibilities of an organisation. Offering sustainable commuting options can also be a low-hanging fruit to cut emissions and a highly visible measure to increase sustainability in the organisation.