Last Updated on: 23rd July 2024, 11:26 am
In its fourth year, the Commuter Census® has reached a new milestone with 10,325 responses. The survey has recorded a significant increase in employees no longer working from home, with hybrid working becoming the preferred arrangement after 2020.
According to the results, four in ten people are now back to working on-site, while only 15% of employees would prefer to continue working remotely. The majority of commuters (63%) expressed a desire for a hybrid model, with the option to work from home between one and four times a week.
Four in ten people are no longer working from home at all, even though only 15% of employees would prefer this working arrangement.
The findings of the Commuter Census highlight the growing need for sustainable commuting as more people return to the office. Mobilityways, the organization behind the survey, has found through their Commuter Emissions Calculation that the average worker emits 849 kg of CO2e through commuting every year.
Despite a 17% decrease in commuters using petrol or diesel cars and an increase in more sustainable modes of transportation, the emissions from commuting have not seen a significant reduction in the past two years. This can be attributed to an increase in the frequency of trips to work compared to 2022, which contributes to higher emissions.
Mobilityways, a climate tech organization and social enterprise, is on a mission to make zero-carbon commuting a reality. Their products and consultancy services help employers measure, reduce, and report their commuter emissions.
The Commuter Census 2024 has also revealed a desire among commuters for more support from their employers in reducing their carbon footprint during their daily commute. Over half of the respondents stated that they would appreciate more assistance in commuting sustainably, placing the responsibility on large organizations to make sustainable commuting easier for their employees. With the Labour Government’s new net-zero plans, there is a possibility that Scope 3 emissions reporting may soon become a legal requirement.
Speaking on the findings, Mobilityways Managing Director Julie Furnell said, “It is now the responsibility of employers to make it feasible for employees to reduce their commuter emissions. By doing so, there is a huge opportunity for Scope 3 emissions reduction, especially in large organizations. We have observed a significant decrease in the percentage of respondents (42%) who would consider working from home as an alternative to their current mode of commuting, compared to last year’s survey. This means that employers must provide new, sustainable ways of getting their workforce to their workplace, which will also contribute to reducing their Scope 3 emissions.”
The Commuter Census 2024 also revealed that only 38% of respondents now commute to work in a petrol or diesel car, and less than half (45%) use any form of single-occupancy vehicle (SOV), including hybrid and electric cars.
For the first time, the number of commuters driving alone with a petrol or diesel car has fallen below 40%, with a 17% decrease since 2022. The survey also found that 15% of employees now carpool to work, returning to pre-pandemic levels. Additionally, six in ten people stated that they would consider carpooling or using an electric vehicle for their commute.
The full Commuter Census report, which includes information on changes in commuting modes, work travel patterns, attitudes towards commuting methods, and commuting emissions calculations, can be found here.
