Companies in the US and Canada are often unclear about the extent to which they could cut their carbon contributions by enabling staff to work from home, according to a recent study.

Figures from the U.S. Energy Information Administration show that the amount of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere as a result of transportation has been rising by close to 1.5 per cent annually in America since 1990.

Yet 32 per cent of Canadian and 36 per cent of American business bosses are not convinced that enabling widespread homeworking will have a significant impact on reducing CO2 emissions.

"Telework has been implemented to some extent, however the link with efforts to address global warming is not clear to everyone," said Bob Fortier, president of the Canadian Telework Association.

"If the link between teleworking and its benefits, including the many environmental benefits, were publicised more, it is likely that organisations would be encouraged to promote teleworking even more."

Transport for London is among a host of organisations backing the Work Wise UK initiative as it aims to promote the environmentally-friendly aspects to enabling "smarter working" practices in Britain.