The Hidden Carbon Footprint of Remote Work: What Leaders Miss
Remote work cut your office costs. Smart move.
But here’s what we learned pursuing EcoVadis Gold: the hidden carbon footprint and social impact of distributed teams are bigger than most leaders think. And clients, investors, and regulators are starting to ask about it.
The good news? Measuring it isn’t complicated. And companies that track early don’t scramble when opportunities require it.
Rethinking “Sustainable” Remote Work
When remote work took off, many assumed it meant greener operations: fewer commutes, less office space, fewer flights. But sustainability goes deeper than surface-level savings. Behind every distributed team lies a hidden carbon and social footprint—digital infrastructure, home-office energy use, and global workforce practices.
The reality? Around 70-90% of a company’s emissions are Scope 3 (value chain), often overlooked in remote-first setups. Investors, clients, and regulators are increasingly asking for this data. These indirect sources make up most of the hidden carbon footprint that slips past standard ESG tracking.
Leaders who measure and act early aren’t just doing the right thing, they’re staying competitive.
What You’re Missing in Your Hidden Carbon Footprint
- Digital infrastructure: Tech accounts for 3-4% of global emissions, comparable to aviation (World Bank). Think video calls, cloud storage, device manufacturing.
- Home-office energy: Remote work shifts emissions into hundreds of households. In some regions, this can use more energy than one shared office. Offering energy stipends or co-working options can cut both costs and emissions.
- The people side: Sustainability isn’t just carbon, it’s social. Fair pay, reasonable hours, and real growth opportunities matter. Replacing someone costs 50-150% of their anual salary (Gallup), so ethical practices directly impact retention.
How to Measure Without Overcomplicating It
You don’t need perfect data, just directional accuracy and consistent improvement. Even a rough baseline of your hidden carbon footprint gives you clarity and credibility with investors. Start with three pillars:
- Carbon → digital emissions, home-office energy, travel for offsites.
- Social → wage equity, working conditions, inclusion.
- Vendors → certifications like EcoVadis, B Corp, ISO.
Tools like Greenly or Watershed can give you a baseline. Track quarterly, refine as you learn.
Why Globedesk Cares
At Globedesk, we pursued EcoVadis Gold because we wanted to prove remote-first companies can lead on sustainability, not just talk about it. With us, you don’t just hire globally, but responsibly:
- Verified fair wages & safe working conditions.
- Access to Latin America & Europe talent (no long flights, same time zones).
- Strengthen your ESG report.
Your distributed team becomes a sustainability asset.
Download Greener Teams, Smarter Growth
About Globedesk
At Globedesk, we help fast-moving companies scale sustainably by connecting them with top tech and marketing talent from Latin America and Europe. We’re proud to be Ecovadis Gold-certified, female-founded, and committed to making global hiring smarter, greener, and truly human.
Here you can read more about how Globedesk work with sustainabilty.