The Gensler Research Institute, in collaboration with the MIT Mobility Initiative, has released an in-depth study analyzing the full carbon footprint of a workday — including where we work, how we commute, and how much energy our homes and offices consume.
The findings highlight that individual behavior, urban design, workspace strategy, and government policy must work together to reduce carbon emissions effectively.
Commuting Choices: The Biggest Carbon Difference
The study establishes a clear hierarchy of commuting emissions:
- Gas-powered cars emit the most carbon
- Electric vehicles reduce emissions, especially when powered by cleaner energy grids
- Public transportation has significantly lower emissions
- Walking and biking have almost no carbon impact
To reduce the collective carbon footprint of commuting, the researchers emphasize a shift toward electric vehicles, public transit, and micromobility options such as cycling and walking.
Gas-powered cars produce more carbon than any other commute mode, making them a major target for decarbonization efforts.
Organizational Strategies to Reduce Emissions
Companies can play a major role in reducing collective emissions by supporting low-carbon commutes. Suggested interventions include:
- Locating offices near public transit hubs
- Offering shuttles from transport nodes
- Providing incentives or pre-tax benefits for public transit and micromobility
- Designing smaller, efficient shared workplaces rather than large private offices
Shared workspaces allow less heating, cooling, and energy usage per person, making them more efficient than private workspaces.
Carbon Impact Varies Across Cities
The study examined the full carbon impact of a workday in:
Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco,
with additional commute data for Boston, Denver, Miami, and Phoenix.
Key findings:
- Temperate climates (e.g., Los Angeles) require less energy for heating/cooling
- Cities relying on fossil fuel grids (e.g., Chicago) produce higher emissions
- Energy-efficient offices and reduced home energy use can drastically lower emissions — especially when paired with low-carbon commute modes
Research Methodology
The study calculated carbon impact using:
- Building emissions (office & home)
- Commute emissions
- Energy grid composition
- Climate zones
- Average occupancy per square foot
- Potential behavioral energy savings
This allowed researchers to analyze tradeoffs between commute mode, workspace type, and housing efficiency across major U.S. metro areas.
Major Takeaway
To cut carbon emissions effectively:
Spend more time in shared, efficient workplaces — and switch away from gas-powered cars.
This dual strategy achieves the greatest reduction in carbon impact per person, especially in cities with access to clean energy and robust transit.
