Think tank report shows carbon benefits of homeworking

Can homeworking save the planet? How homes can become workspace in a low carbon economy was published last week by the Smith Instutute think tank at an event in Whitehall.

The report, edited by Tim Dwelly and Andy Lake of Live Work Network, is the first doument to bring together leading UK and world experts to consider the environmental impacts of the shift to home working and live/work property.

Contributors to the pamphlet include Treasury adviser Kate Barker, Places for People Group chief executive David Cowans, World Wildlife Fund policy adviser Denis Pamlin, BT head of policy Caroline Waters and CABE chief executive Richard Simmons.

Chapters include an in-depth comparison of carbon emissions by home workers and office workers, new statistics from Strathclyde University on home-based businesses, ideas for low carbon live/work developments and ways employers can benefit from a shift to homeworking.

Acknowledged carbon expert Professor Peter James reveals key data on the net carbon benefits of homeworking  compared to ordinary office working. Others such as Denis Pamlin go further, suggesting that such benfeits can be exponential.

Live Work Network director Tim Dwelly commented: 'This pamphlet brings home the critical imprtance of live/work and home-based business to the future low carbon economy. We simply cannot go on assuming that commuting between separate homes and workspaces will remain the norm. We are no longer in the industrial era. With over 40% of all UK businesses now home-based and numbers likely to rise in the downturn, it is time for policy makers to urgently review their approach to employment and business and recognise the potential contribution of the live/work part of the UK economy.'

Download full report.