Beyond the commute: teleworking, mobility patterns and CO2 emissions in Switzerland

Abstract

Abstract With teleworking on the rise, it is important to address its effects – both direct and indirect – on daily mobility patterns, beyond the usual focus on the commute itself. Using data from a national survey of 5100 employed individuals in Switzerland conducted by a polling institute we commissioned, we assess the influence of teleworking frequency and experience on both commuting and non-work-related trips, in terms of distance travelled and the resulting CO₂ emissions. Using a combination of descriptive statistics and regression models, we show that teleworking does not always lead to a reduction in CO₂ emissions. Experienced teleworkers (i.e. those who have been working from home for a long time) who work from home at least three days a week tend to have reduced mobility-related emissions compared to non-teleworkers. In contrast, higher consumption is observed among individuals who have only recently started working from home and who telework only occasionally, as they use private cars more frequently and cover longer distances both on their way to work and on private journeys. Our analysis highlights the importance of frequency and experience in shaping teleworkers’ mobility behaviours and environmental outcomes, and suggests that teleworking cannot be considered as a universally sustainable solution. We underline the need for detailed data to monitor evolving practices and inform appropriate policy measures.