I've blogged a few times on how allowing your employees to work from home can help your business overcome potential problems such as swine flu and other business continuity threats, however there is also another prominant threat to everybody. Global warming.

OK, so I'm not the biggest believer in all things green, however I am convinced that by following the advice and guidance handed out by governments about cutting emissions and conserving energy you will have a definite impact on your bottom line.

If you have a positive impact on the environment at the same time, then surely we're looking into bonus territory?

How can working from your home contribute?

Essentially by simply not moving you are saving on petrol, emmissions and traffic. Three things which have a direct effect on both saving money and also reducing carbon emmissions. When you also consider that it means you're ready to work without the stresses of commuting, the benefits soon start to mount up.

How much can not commuting save you/the environment?

Well, if you travelled 10 miles to work, and had an average mpg of 15, you'd be saving about £1 a week if you worked from home once a week. £52 per year may not sound like much, however imagine that if you had an extra couple of hours to work in the morning from not having to commute, you can also claim back time. You also won't have the cost of lunch, distractions and other things which decrease productivity. So you actually get quite a lot out of it.

You will also be reducing your hydrocarbons (3kg), carbon monoxide (22kg), oxides of nitrogen (1kg), carbon dioxide (432kg), petrol/gasoline (22kg) emissions.

So, an individual can make a real difference. Now imagine if your business had a policy that encouraged homeworking.

And it's not just savings in transportation, by not having people in the office you are reducing the amount of electricity used and encouraging a better way of working!

Of course, you've got to make sure you have the facilities to do this, but I'm pretty sure that while most of us wouldn't want to work full time from home, very few would say no to one day per week.

And given the savings, it's something that actually makes sense for you, your business and the environment.