A missed opportunity to work from home in our PJs?!
Posted: March 26, 2010 by Edwina, Category:Sustainability
Does your typical workday look like a scene from this video “Planes, Trains and Automobiles?”
Next question, is there anything better than working from home in your PJs? How about working from home while helping the environment?
Climate Care Day is today, Friday, March 26, and as we’ve only just come across it unfortunately we won’t be taking part…shame (just think I could be sat at home in bed writing this right now)!!
But what exactly is it? It’s a day which has been created to encourage businesses worldwide to replace all corporate travel with remote meetings for one day in an effort to raise awareness of the importance of climate change - the 21st century’s number one environmental issue - and demonstrate how simple choices can make a significant difference to the environment. Following the success of Earth Hour (which is this tomorrow, FYI), Climate Care Day was created as a business initiative.
The thing is, while I like the ethos behind the idea, I can’t help but think it’s missing the sustainable transport element. Sure staying at home one day and promoting video conferencing etc. is a great way of raising awareness, but what’s the point if we all go back to the same carbon intensive travel choices the next?
Imagine a world in which people choose to travel to work or meetings in ways that benefit their health and the environment. There are many options; public transport, cycling, walking, electric/hybrid cars, and car sharing for example.
We have a pretty active “cycle to work” group here in the Glasgow office, which is supported by tax free discounts on purchase, as well as the ability to claim business mileage on expenses! In fact we promote cycling so much that we’ve just been recognized as a Cycle Friendly Employee by Cycling Scotland.
While many others here car share on a regular basis – but as none of us are perfect there is a great practical guide on changing travel behaviour within your business on the Business Link website.
So can one day really make a difference? Some of the stats on the website are shocking enough to make me want to try… Hopefully next year we can convince our CEO to let us all work from home…
