As businesses intensify their focus on sustainability, reducing Scope 3 emissions has become a key priority. One significant yet often overlooked contributor to a company’s carbon footprint is employee commuting emissions, categorized under Scope 3 Category 7 in the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol. These emissions arise from employees traveling between their homes and workplaces using various modes of transportation, including personal vehicles, public transport, and even active commuting methods like cycling and walking.

Scope 3 emissions cover a wide range of indirect emissions throughout the value chain. Previously, we explored business travel emissions (Scope 3 Category 6), which account for employee travel for work-related purposes, such as flights and hotel stays. Employee commuting emissions (Scope 3 Category 7) differ in that they arise from daily travel between employees’ homes and workplaces rather than work-related trips.

Understanding, measuring, and mitigating employee commuting emissions can help businesses not only lower their overall carbon footprint but also improve employee well-being and align with global sustainability goals. This guide explores how to measure employee commuting emissions, strategies to reduce them, and the role of corporate policies in supporting sustainable commuting.

What are Scope 3 Category 7 – employee commuting emissions?

Employee commuting emissions are generated from daily travel between employees’ homes and their work locations. These emissions originate from:

• Personal vehicles – Gasoline- and diesel-powered cars contribute significantly to commuting emissions.
  
  
• Public transportation – Buses, trains, and subways, which produce lower per-passenger emissions than private vehicles.
  
  
• Air travel – Some employees may commute by air for work, adding to emissions.
  
  
• Active commuting – Bicycling and walking, which have negligible emissions but may require infrastructure support.
  
  
• Remote work (teleworking) – Though employees don’t commute physically, their energy usage at home (heating, cooling, electricity) contributes to emissions.

Companies are increasingly including teleworking emissions in their reporting to reflect the shift in work habits.

Why should companies measure employee commuting emissions?

Understanding and reporting commuting emissions is critical for several reasons:

• Regulatory Compliance – As climate policies tighten, businesses may need to disclose employee commuting emissions.
  
  
• Sustainability Targets – Tracking emissions helps companies align with net-zero and carbon neutrality goals.
  
  
• Employee Engagement – Sustainable commuting initiatives improve employee satisfaction and corporate reputation.
  
  
• Cost Reduction – Supporting remote work and carpooling programs can reduce operational costs and improve productivity.

Strategies to reduce employee commuting emissions

Businesses can adopt several strategies to decarbonize employee commuting:

1. Encourage Public and Low-Carbon Transport

• Provide subsidies or reimbursements for employees using public transport.
• Establish shuttle services for employees from key locations.
• Partner with local transit authorities to improve commuting options.

2. Promote Active Commuting

• Build infrastructure such as bike racks and showers to support cyclists.
• Offer financial incentives for walking or biking to work.
• Introduce health and wellness programs tied to active commuting.

3. Support Remote and Hybrid Work

• Implement flexible work-from-home policies to reduce commuting frequency.
• Assess and offset remote work emissions from home energy consumption.

4. Implement Carpooling and Ride-Sharing Programs

• Develop internal carpooling networks using company platforms.
• Offer parking incentives for carpoolers to encourage shared rides.
• Collaborate with ride-sharing services to provide corporate discounts.

5. Transition to Low-Emission Company Vehicles

• Provide electric vehicle (EV) leasing options for employees.
• Install EV charging stations at office locations.
• Educate employees on fuel-efficient driving practices.

6. Offset Unavoidable Emissions

• Invest in carbon offset projects such as reforestation or renewable energy.
• Support community-based sustainability projects in employee neighborhoods.

How Sprih helps with scope 3 category 7 emissions

At Sprih, we offer customized solutions to help businesses measure, report, and reduce their Scope 3 emissions, including employee commuting:

• Comprehensive Carbon Accounting Tools – Accurately measure commuting emissions using the best methodologies.
  
  
• Employee Engagement & Sustainability Programs – Develop effective commuting policies.
  
  
• Carbon Reduction & Offset Strategies – Implement initiatives tailored to your company’s sustainability goals.

Employee commuting emissions are a key component of Scope 3 and present a significant opportunity for businesses to reduce their carbon footprint. By adopting sustainable commuting policies, investing in public and low-carbon transport, and leveraging remote work solutions, companies can make a meaningful impact on emissions reduction.

Take the next step in your sustainability journey—contact Sprih today to learn how we can support your company’s carbon reduction goals.