Infosys asks employees to share remote work electricity consumption data: Report

According to a report by Economic Times (ET), IT major Infosys is collecting data on employees’ household electricity consumption to offset its impact through higher clean energy production as part of the company’s sustainability program that has been in place for over 15 years.

Under the company’s hybrid work policy, employees primarily work remotely but are required to be physically present in the office for at least 10 days each month.

The report stated that Infosys’ Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jayesh Sanghrajka informed his employees via email that the company had launched a work-from-home electricity usage survey and encouraged them to take a few minutes to respond.

What did the CFO say?

“As hybrid working becomes an integral part of our operations, the environmental impact of our work increasingly extends beyond our campuses and into our homes. Electricity consumed while working from home also contributes to Infosys’ greenhouse gas emissions footprint. As we work to improve and update our reporting methodology, obtaining accurate data on current work-from-home energy use is vital to our ongoing efforts,” the CFO said in the report.

Sanghrajka informed employees that their responses will help the company “measure our impact more precisely and design effective sustainability initiatives.”

Infosys reduced per capita energy consumption

According to the report, the Bengaluru-based company, which has more than 300,000 employees, underlined that it sees sustainability not as a goal but as a shared responsibility. The CFO also said that the company has demonstrated its determination through successes. It achieved carbon neutrality ahead of international deadlines, reduced per capita energy consumption by 55% since 2008, and last year supplied nearly 77% of its electricity from renewable sources.

Infosys employees say survey aims to raise awareness

Some employees told the news portal that the survey aims to raise awareness about energy saving and efficient use of electricity.

Infosys has also encouraged its employees to implement energy-saving practices at home, stating that its buildings use 50-60% less electricity than conventional buildings. The questions asked about the wattage of electrical appliances, fans, air conditioners, heaters and lights, as well as whether employees use solar energy at home, the report said.

Infosys was among the first companies to estimate and report emissions from remote working in 2020-21. This was done through a survey that measured electricity usage for lighting, fans, computers, air conditioning and other related activities, he added.