Energy at work: A scoping review of how new working models reshape energy consumption

Implementing new working models may be a promising strategy to reduce energy consumption in office environments. Through a comprehensive scoping review of 96 sources, this study provides insights into the energy impacts of different working models. We distinguish between three types of working model: location flexibilization, work time reduction and flexibilization, and space flexibilization, considering the perspectives of both employer and employee. The impact pathways assessed for employers included energy use at the office, taking into account office space, infrastructure, and business travel. For employees, we assessed energy use at home, considering living space, private office infrastructure, commuting and non-commuting travel, and general consumption patterns. The selection criteria were based on our characterization of the working models and the impact pathways we defined. Our findings indicate that new working models have the potential to result in energy savings, especially where they lead to fewer commutes and more efficient use of office space. However, the impact of these working models on energy consumption is highly complex and heavily dependent on various contextual and organizational factors. Future research could therefore focus on the conditions under which new working models enable energy savings, as well as on the potential of combining different working models to save energy in a way that suits both employers and employees.