UK businesses could benefit from millions of pounds in new savings and dramatically reduce their carbon footprint according to new research from O2. Its new Green Savings Calculator uses details provided by individual businesses, including travel and office space arrangements, to help identify ways to save money and reduce carbon emissions from flexible working.

In trials, the calculator found an average potential annual saving of £2.6m for a company of 1,000 employees. Overall, O2 calculated that it could provide a £53bn annual saving for companies in the UK, at a time when employers are working hard to support UK workers through the COVID-19 pandemic. The Calculator, built by The Lab, powered by O2 and based on calculations by the Carbon Trust, is designed to help businesses plan for the longer term and can be used to build the business case to invest in the digital tools, capability and confidence to build back the UK economy in a sustainable and resilient way. The calculator looks at different savings sources across businesses, including travel reduction and longer-term initiatives like fleet and office rationalisation.

Companies including Hitachi Capital UK PLC have signed up to the ongoing beta trial of the calculator, which could support thousands of businesses across the UK in becoming more flexible.

O2 research shows that if UK workers who can work flexibly choose to work from home twice a week, the UK would see an annual 14.3 megatonne CO2e decrease in greenhouse gas emissions from travel – more than the total annual emissions for Northern Ireland.

Mark Evans, CEO, O2 said:

“The pandemic has undoubtedly been tough for Britain, but it is also a catalyst for change. The surge in flexible working is already delivering clear benefits for people, businesses, and the environment, that we should look to carry into the future. Mobile and digital connectivity, smartly designed and deployed, can help businesses and industries to improve their productivity and efficiency, while reducing carbon emissions. All businesses need to start thinking green with every decision they make.”

Tom Delay, Chief Executive, the Carbon Trust said:

“We are dedicated to helping businesses move towards a more sustainable future by creating tools to inform strategic decisions. Re-imagining working patterns in the coming months and years provides an opportunity to shift towards more sustainable business models. The Carbon Trust has worked with O2 for over 10 years on its carbon reduction strategy and we look forward to continuing our work together to help deliver a net zero future.”