An evaluation of the low-carbonization of rural migration due to telework

• Published in: Journal of Human and Environmental Symbiosis Vol. 38; no. 1; pp. 56 - 66
• Main Authors: NISHIMOTO, Yuji, PARK, Suil, KATO, Hirokazu, YAMAMOTO, Yugo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: Japan Association for Human and Environmental Symbiosis 31.03.2022
• Subjects: CO2 emission; Local migration; Rebound effect; Satellite office; Telework
• ISSN: 1346-3489; 2434-902X
• DOI: 10.32313/jahes.38.1_56

It is expected that the environmental load will be reduced as one of the social effects of telework. However, the rebound effect of carrying out other activities due to the unnecessity of commuting also generates. This study developed a method to estimate changes in CO2 emissions between rural migration due to telework and conventional lifestyles (living and commuting in metropolitan area) using behavioral data of people who work in rural area due to telework. By making a trial calculation using this method and performing a sensitivity analysis, we confirmed the factors that affect CO2 emissions. As a result，it was estimated that rural migration due to telework increases CO2 emissions by fourfold compared to the conventional lifestyles, mainly contributed by energy consumption of home increase. However, the results also suggested that it is possible to reduce energy consumption by around half. Regarding the rebound effect of rural migration due to telework, CO2 emissions will increase due to both the increase in travel time except commuting and using automobile. However, in many cases, the energy consumption of home or office far exceeded the rebound effect. These results indicated that the low-carbonization of rural migration due to telework can be significantly facilitated through appropriate energy use.