Investigation of Energy Efficiency and Decarbonization due to Transition to Virtual Space

A serious challenge for humanity is to find an adequate response to stop the accelerating global temperature increase caused by atmospheric carbon dioxide emissions. The question arises regarding how robust international objectives and climate change-fighting decarbonization can be achieved. After a methodological review of the literature, as well as online and in-person modelling for education, work, and conferences, based on the results of studies with a life cycle approach, we searched for the answer to what reasonable solution options are available for decarbonization and energy reduction. During the research, the organizational carbon footprint of a selected office, educational institution and conference, and then the carbon footprint created by one person in 1 hour were examined. The two-day online education significantly reduced the load of the daily commute by 402 tons of CO2 equivalent annually in transportation, but the energy demand of learning at home takes away 136 tons of this, so the real profit is the mentioned 266 tons. Based on work-related research, it can be concluded that remote work can really have a positive effect on the environment. However, it depends on many other factors and the extent of their utilization. In the case of conferences, reducing travel can reduce a carbon footprint. This can be done online when the most significant savings can be achieved.