This petition is asking for the following items to be undertaken

1. Global governments and companies to support office workers to keep remote working (where possible), after social-distancing is over and continue a lower stress lifestyle with more time for life and less time traveling to and from work unnecessarily. 
2. By increasing remote working, reduced rush-hour and general unnecessary commuting will continue to help reduce pollution and support environmental recovery in every country that enables it. Helping drastically reduce CO2 emissions, which was evidently experienced globally across the 2020 pandemic lockdowns. 
3. Take serious steps in reducing global carbon emissions. We just made outstanding progress across all industries over the pandemic, don't waste this chance to keep it going. 
4. Speed up plans already set out for improved cycling and improved transportation options - similar to Denmark's successful model.

Background

The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has had a clear positive effect on the environment, with pollution rates dropped to astonishing low rates and animals thriving and returning to once inhabited shores. As the world recovers and importantly the global economy too, we have a global opportunity to make a difference. 

Many companies may/will return to old habits, driven by revenue and not by the wellbeing of staff and consideration of the environment. This unique situation has shown the world that the damage from commuting alone has been far more impactful than originally imagined. 

We together, around the world, have a unique opportunity to change this forever. Many companies, universities, councils and governments are already bringing in new plans to continue something that seemed impossible. A way of living that is between where we were and where we are now, to be something that enables the economy to flourish but environments to recover and be protected.

There is a small opportunity for governments to encourage companies to keep up remote working and address major players who generate carbon emissions. Right now, there is a supportive mindset across the world to get behind initiatives to benefit the environment, after seeing the effects of the reduced human traffic over the past few months. When the virus is gone, why stop?

Let’s make sure this change happens and we look after the future for ourselves and our children in creating a better earth.

Here is to the new tomorrow, let it not be in vain to all that we have lost and all that we have learnt in 2020.

Points of additional and supportive information

Remote working

• There are many companies that need face to face engagements, customer interactions and complex planning meetings in person. These need to continue where web meetings and virtual reality don't enable a feasible solution.
• For most commuters who sit in an office, there is a better way to work. By something as simple as 4 out of 5 days a week remote working or just an office or private space day once a month can enable a massive improvement for staff performance and business continuity.
• If finances are tight, discussing a 4 day week could also help create positive lifestyles and businesses moving.
• Companies may still need office space but not as much. Meeting rooms with small remote working areas pose a better structure, enabling secure meeting areas for private or sensitive discussions and staff areas for those who are in the area or rather work in this location on the day.
• There is then an option for real estate to enable the transition of office complexes no longer needed into accommodation or create entertainment parks for the new trends in food, tech, sports and play zones.
• Some staff still rather work in an office but many polls taken over the last few months show a very low percentage do. Many of these have busy households, are unable to focus at home, have personal issues at home or prefer a physical separation from work and home. This can be accommodated by smaller remote working areas.
• Fewer people commuting on the roads and trains can provide a better quality of service and fewer emissions from congestion to all those needing to travel on our continual frontlines. The quieter roads may also encourage more cycling in safer areas.
• There has been a clear reduction in stress and an improvement in overall wellbeing to those who work from home. Tech companies monitoring staff's delivery have seen an overwhelming increase in performance, which provides overwhelming support for the movement. Companies get more work done and staff get a better lifestyle, which is a win-win.
• Once social distancing is relaxed and in time, when the pandemic no longer poses a threat, there will be a greater opportunity for the economy to flourish with people having more time to spend more money as they save thousands on commuting and forcibly living in urban areas than rural pockets. This brings more money to out of city locations. Only at this point will the general public experience the true benefit of remote working, when an increased amount of time and money does lead to a higher quality of life.
• It is important to have social engagement for mental health and rapport building and that is why training or team away days are a great way to ensure companies can keep an inspired workforce going. Meeting for coffee, after-work beers and team dinners not only help boost morale but also encourage better collaboration. Very few workers have time for quality discussions with colleagues, always rushing to hit deadlines. Quality time with work companions can be achieved by stepping away from work and meeting up.
• Companies will save more money than their staff if they enable remote working. The cost of FM for the purpose of hosting office staff is huge and by encouraging staff into work, the company its self has just added to carbon emissions. Many companies were previously already trying to find ways to reduce staff commuting and be more environmentally aware and also introducing electric vehicles and advanced waste management processes.  

 Transport and cycling

• More bicycles and exercise equipment were brought in the last few months than over the last ten years but unlike Denmark, we don't hold a cycle-friendly transport network in most other countries. Many are now in support of this and now is an opportune time to start making walking and cycling the best form of short to mid-distance transport options. 
• Counties have unveiled some plans to transition more roads into cycle friendly and pedestrian zones and looking at electric low-speed vehicles to permit. This is only part of the solution. Transporting is like a pyramid, you travel the longest distance at the highest speeds at the base and the shortest distance at the slowest speeds at the top. We need to enable cycling and electric vehicles at the mid-section, this enables a long-distance commute with a quicker interchangeable section is needed – Again Denmark leads the way. Follow this model for success.
• The point above poses a simple issue that also needs to change. If something has already been thought out and works well, use it. Just because we have different postcodes, shouldn’t mean the ingenuity of Japan or the lifestyle of Copenhagen shouldn’t be introduced in other countries. Bring across the experts and share the knowledge so we may all prosper.
• Infrastructure doesn’t change overnight but planning and funding opportunities can start today.
• Storage and safety also need to be considered, not everywhere has the space and funding for more bicycle lockups. This will come with time.
• If it rains or is too hot or cold, people will wish to return to public transport and cars – this is why a combined remote working program can support this by reducing the number of people commuting in the first place.
• On weekends, we need to ensure we have enough fluctuated eco public transport to support the increased movement.

Future-Proofing

• If another virus or Covid-19 returns again soon or over the next few years (as we predict), surely, it makes sense to keep infrastructure, process and mindset that is already positioned to be resilient and respond in its return, reducing large commuting hotspots and high transmission areas before it's detected by reducing mass rush hour travel. If supermarkets and restaurants keep delivering and companies find a better way to do business, they are safeguarding their practices to help keep the economy and countries moving, if/when a pandemic strikes again.

Global environmental organisations to lead the way

• The remarkable response of the earth to the reduction of human activity has seen cleaner waters, clearer skies, native birds return hundreds of years later to countries previously abandoned and wildlife emerge on old terrain once roamed. There is a new rise in the global passion for nature. We need global environmental organisations and universities to take this a step further in supporting governments. How can we better manage our natural locations and improve environments of beaches, skies, parks, urban and rural areas for both humans and wildlife combined? What does your research say and how can we all be better for our earth? How can our actions accelerate the reduction of global warming, floods, fires, drought, earthquakes and tsunamis? How can we help?

Thank you.