Adamos Adamou
Interview with Adamos Adamou
Many believe that distance work has become more common because of the pandemic, with many workers preferring it because of the flexibility it offers, as well as some employers, because of the savings that result, which benefit both sides, employer and worker. .
However, teleworking seems to benefit – clearly now – the environment as well, as proven, and through relevant research, measurable benefits emerge thanks to reduced travel.
This led to research by Frederick University Assistant Professor Dr. Paris Fokaidis and his research team on the role of distance work during the Covid-19 pandemic and its impact on the sustainability of smart cities.
SEE ALSO: The Parliament has given time for the framework of teleworking
According to the findings of the work, which was the occasion for our discussion with Mr. Fokaidis, after the announcement that their study for a few weeks is the article with the most views in the authoritative scientific journal Energy Sources Part A, of the publishing house Taylor and Francis, “can save at least 4.0 liters of transport fuel and 7.4 kg of carbon dioxide per hour of working distance per 100 employees in the case of Cyprus”.
Speaking to “Economic Liberal”, Mr. Fokaidis also states that teleworking can contribute to the transition to smart cities but also to energy savings and the achievement of our climate goals.
Can remote work also be a tool for tackling climate change?
According to the findings of published scientific papers, the year 2020 was the most environmentally friendly year in recent decades worldwide, as significant activities related to the parameters that exacerbate climate change were significantly reduced. In particular, greenhouse gas emissions are estimated to have fallen by more than 5% for 2020. This change is mainly due to the transport sector, as travel during the first months of the coronary pandemic was significantly reduced. It should be borne in mind that, in most Member States of the European Union, energy consumption in the transport sector is the highest, followed by consumption in the building sector. Therefore, it is obvious that the changes that occurred in the frequency and distances of the movements, had a significant effect on the air emissions, and on the whole of the environmental effects that cause the phenomenon of climate change.
Distance work, although it has existed as a way of working for several years, was very much established during the coronary pandemic. This form of work presupposes specific infrastructures, which allow the employee to adequately fulfill his obligations from the space he chooses. Considering the fact that in smart cities, infrastructures related to communication, digitization and transmission of information are widely available, we can realize that remote work is one of the characteristics of intelligent cities. The main feature of distance working is the fact of reduced mobility, as it is performed mainly at home, or in common workplaces (coworking spaces). It is therefore self-evident that by promoting distance work, travel is reduced, and therefore the adverse effects on the environment due to greenhouse gases are reduced.
What does your study show regarding Cyprus?
Our work was carried out on the basis of real data, which result from the living quarters, but also the frequency of visits to the workplace of the professors of the Polytechnic School of Frederick University. The reason for carrying out this work was the observation of electricity consumption in Cyprus during the first months of the coronary pandemic and the imposition of restrictive measures (Spring 2020), through measurements of the daily energy consumption of the Transmission System Operator. Specifically, consumption during this period was reduced by about 10%, due to the freezing of commercial activity and the restriction of travel.
The findings of the analysis, which was carried out using proven scientific tools, demonstrate the fact that the effect of teleworking on the overall environmental impact of gaseous pollutants is quite significant.
In particular, the analysis carried out came up with impact indicators that demonstrate the contribution of distance working models to addressing energy and environmental challenges for the transition of European cities to smart energy areas. At least 4.0 liters of transport fuel and 7.4 kg of carbon dioxide per hour can be saved per working distance per 100 employees in the case of Cyprus. This indicator can obviously be adjusted on a larger scale, highlighting the overall reductions of gaseous pollutants, but also the reduction of the greenhouse effect. It should also be noted that the reduction of this indicator to other Member States may have an even greater impact on the phenomenon of climate change, as distances in Cyprus are limited, and therefore the effects of telework on reducing transport emissions are relatively small.
Does the study only record positives or do there also be negative results from teleworking, in terms of the environment or the way of life? There are concerns, for example, that distance work will further upset the balance between work and personal life.
The work of our research team was limited to the subject of the effect of telework on climate change. What is clear is the fact that distance work is part of the sustainable development practices of urban centers. Teleworking is associated with a number of positive economic and environmental characteristics, which arise due to the elimination of the need to move from home to work. Distance work contributes to the transition to smart cities, as the main feature in this case is the use of digital technologies to improve the efficiency of various services, always for the benefit of the residents of urban centers and their various activities.
What is important to mention is the fact that our approach is a continuation of the scientific work that we carry out in our research team, in order to highlight various aspects of smart cities. Through our research work, the fact is demonstrated that teleworking is expected to be one of the main axes of development of smart cities.
When it comes to work-life balance issues, these are social issues that need to be addressed. What is certain is that teleworking cannot be fully applied to all jobs, as there will always be those cases where the physical presence of the employee in his workplace will be required, depending on the nature and conditions of the job. . Scenarios that were examined in our work, also concerned the status of part-time teleworking, or even working in common areas, within a short radius of the employee's residence. Therefore, alternatives exist, in the case where social approach work on the issue highlights the need for partial presence of the employee in a work environment.
The impact of the research
Why do you think this study / research was so popular, as can be seen from the number of reviews in Energy Sources Part A?
The analysis of trends, but also of the interest of the scientific community is a very interesting object. What we have noticed through the acceptance of our works, but also the interest shown in them, either through their readability or from heterogeneous reports, is the fact that topics related to smart cities and sustainable development are at the forefront of the academic of interest. The transition to smart cities is an event for which the global scientific community of the built environment is working feverishly. The shaping of the conditions, the infrastructures but also the background, within the framework of which the smart cities will be established, needs intelligent, innovative and creative solutions for which the scientific community is showing constant interest at this stage.
Apart from the subject matter, something else that may have been considered of interest by the scientific community for the widespread acceptance of this work, is the methodology we have handled for the analysis of the subject. Specifically, in the framework of this work, three different methods were combined, those of non-linear programming, life cycle analysis, and geoinformation systems.
This approach incorporates elements of innovation that the scientific community has obviously shown interest in. At the same time, the fact that our work deals with the analysis of environmental issues that arose during the pandemic period, was an important factor in the increased interest in our work.
Cooperation with state authorities
Have you been approached by the government for your findings?
The cooperation of our research team, but also of Frederick University, with competent government authorities in the implementation of public procurement is ongoing. In the recent past, we have collaborated in a series of contracts with both the Energy Service and the Department of Environment, but also with the Department of Transport of the Department of Transportation on issues related to energy saving, sustainable environment and waste management. What is certain is that the transition of Cyprus to the era of climate neutrality and green development, requires the partnership of both the public and the wider public with the academic sector. It is with great satisfaction that we find that this synergy exists, and that very strong links have been developed between the academic community and the competent authorities.
Regarding the specific issue, which was handled by our work, at this stage no consultations have been made with competent bodies. What is certain is that when those initiatives are taken to institutionalize teleworking as a trial and permanent way of working, our research team will be present and support it as requested.
At the same time, initiatives such as that of your organization, to promote these issues, intensify the creation of a framework for sustainable development, for the benefit of both civil society and future generations.
Yes, teleworking could be regulated by law
How do you see the moves being made in Cyprus to institutionalize telework? Do you think that there should be legislation in this direction or should the regulation concern the choices of each employer or company separately?
The issue of teleworking in Cyprus and its promotion could be approached from different perspectives. One approach is the one highlighted by our work, that is, energy savings in the transport sector.
In view of the implementation of the Energy and Climate Action Plan, which the Republic of Cyprus has adopted, in the framework of its contractual obligations to the European Union for the implementation of a relevant directive, teleworking could well be institutionalized, as an experiment through energy saving in transport sector.
It is important to mention the fact that transport is the main consumer of energy today in Cyprus, with the largest percentage of imported energy on our island being used in this sector. Therefore, policies that can demonstrate proven energy savings in this area can be enacted with measurable and specific quantitative targets in the revision or in subsequent energy and climate plans. In this context, the creation and support of partial or even full teleworking schemes could be considered in the context of the Cypriot economy recovery and resilience plan 2021-2026, where the transport sector is one of the 3 sectors considered and adopted. measures, aimed at sustainable development.
