Today, ahead of the expected publishing of the government's Climate Change Bill, campaigners for smarter working, Work Wise UK, offered an immediate answer to some of the problems of the environmental impact of human activity on the globe: the world needs to reform the way it works.
This advice comes as the main political parties highlight their environmental credentials in the race to lead the green political agenda.
According to Work Wise UK, the widespread introduction of smarter working practices will significantly reduce the need for travel, both commuting and travel for business, making a huge impact to the levels of CO2 emissions from transport sources.
Enabling more home working, more flexible working, better remote and mobile working, all have the impact of reducing the need to travel, and staggering the required travel patterns, which will also reduce peak time congestion, in itself a major contributor to pollution levels.
Phil Flaxton, chief executive of Work Wise UK, said: "The need to work from nine to five, five days a week, dates back to the industrial revolution. However, this is unnecessary in the modern age of the internet and a globalised 24/7 economy. The realisation of the damage our working patterns are causing the environment further underlines the need for us to have a workplace revolution so that we can minimise the impact of human activity on the environment.
"This will probably be one of the least costly, and most effective steps that companies could take to make their contribution to reducing emissions.
"Adopting smarter working practices is a win-win situation: not only will it help reduce emissions, it will also provide staff with a better work-life balance and make them more productive."
To highlight the benefits of smarter working, Work Wise UK has organised Work Wise Week, which this year will run from Wednesday May 16 to Tuesday May 22, and will include National Work from Home Day on Friday May 18. The week will start with a summit involving ministers and business leaders at the QEII Conference Centre in London. The following days of the week will include separate focuses upon the impacts of smarter working on the environment, on transport, on staff welfare, and on the employer through higher productivity.
There will also be number of regional events around the country following the same themes.
Further information about Work Wise UK and Work Wise Week can be found at www.workwiseuk.org.
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