In our modern world, most work in the corporate space is done online through emails, instant messages and online meetings. Overall remote work is a more environmentally friendly way to work. It reduces commuting which releases a lot of carbon emissions, it helps to have less offices that often use energy inefficient electronic devices and have less people working in the offices at once, helping reduce the amount of power on the grid. 

However, there are a few ways that relate to working online (which impacts remote and office workers alike, as they all work online) releases more carbon emissions. At LMP Group we are committed to sustainability as part of our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative. In this article we will discuss ways you can reduce your carbon emissions while working online. 

Why does working online increase carbon emissions? 

It’s all about cloud storage and servers. When you store a document, send an email, or go on a call information is sent to the server. Storing this takes a lot of energy and so it releases carbon emissions. 

There is no way to completely eliminate this because it is part of a day-to-day job in office jobs, but you can work to reduce the information you send or store in the server. 

How to reduce carbon emissions when working online 

There are 4 main things that can easily be done by employees to help reduce server sends and stores to reduce carbon emissions. 

Send less emails 

Each email sent on average accounts for 1g of carbon emissions. While sending emails is part of office jobs you can reduce your sends but limiting the amount that you are sending in response. Responding to an email just to say “ok” or “thank you” sends unnecessary data to the server.  

This is a tip that could take some getting used to, culturally within an organisation you might want people to know an email is received but if you can shift your organisation’s perspective and get employees to only respond when they have relevant information to share you can reduce your emissions. 

Clear your storage  

Regularly deleting files that are stored on the cloud (One Drive, Teams, SharePoint) can significantly reduce the space your information takes up in the server. Storing things locally (i.e on your laptop) when they are only for your use can also help, as well as regularly deleting emails. 

Less calls 

Video calls on apps like Teams and Zoom send a lot of data to the server because not only does it need to account for the wireless connection it’s also sending sound and images to the server. Only holding calls for critical things (i.e something that can’t be an email or a Teams message) will help reduce carbon emissions. Even if a call is short, the carbon emissions stack up. 

Keep cameras and mics off 

As mentioned above calls take up a lot of space in the server and reducing that by keeping cameras off especially in mass calls with more than just a few people can help to greatly reduce carbon emissions. Keeping mics off on those calls will help carbon emissions and avoid disruptions. 

LMP’s Sustainability commitment  

LMP Group are committed to reducing our environmental footprint and promoting sustainable practices. We continuously work to minimise waste, conserve resources, and reduce our carbon emissions. 

In order to run a more sustainable and environmentally friendly business we are: 

  • Offsetting Carbon footprint with our tree planting programme 
  • Sponsoring Beehives in the Black Mountains 
  • Sourcing of ethical merchandise across the group 
  • Providing up to date information for all staff on reducing carbon footprint 

Learn more about CSR at LMP Group. 

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