Carbon emission and health impacts of remote working: A case study of the Helsinki capital region

Remote working can reduce commuting-related carbon emissions but may also lower population physical activity levels. This study examines these trade-offs in the Helsinki Capital Region by modelling changes in commuting and worktime travel under three scenarios: no remote work, current levels, and full potential uptake. We combine demographic data, the Finnish National Travel Survey, public transport schedules, and official transport demand models to estimate impacts on CO ₂ emissions and active travel. Commuting volumes are taken from demographic data containing home and workplace information of workers, and worktime trips are modelled using an agent-based synthetic population model. Under the full remote work scenario, commuting-related emissions decrease by approximately 72.9 tonnes per day, a 16.7% reduction compared to current levels. However, rebound trips during working hours offset 71.3% of these potential savings, even after accounting for reduced workplace-based trips. Health impacts were assessed using the WHO Health Economic Assessment Tool. Compared to a baseline with no remote work, current remote working levels are associated with approximately 42 additional premature deaths annually due to reduced physical activity, with a further 31 deaths under full remote work conditions. Conversely, if commuting time were repurposed for walking or cycling, up to 71 premature deaths could be avoided under current conditions and 137 under full remote working. The findings highlight the interrelationship between environmental and health dimensions of remote work. While remote working involves clear trade-offs, integrated policy approaches that combine emission reduction strategies and promotion of physical activity while limiting rebound travel are needed to achieve substantial co-benefits.