Greener Energy Choices and Work from Home (WFH) : Survey Results from India

The aim of this paper is to study the energy choices made by households during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is in reference to the lockdowns and restrictions in India and it’s possible relations with Work from Home (WFH) during the same period. Our period of analysis is March 2020 - May 2021 covering the period of strict government restrictions when most of the jobs moved to WFH. We conduct a primary survey in the city of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India and find energy consciousness to be strongly associated with education and spending time working from home. Using predictive modelling, we predict the likelihood of WFH satisfaction to decrease with being male, working in largely non- sedentary occupations while the likelihood of enjoying WFH to increase in the scenario of a very long work commute. Results show high income groups and relatively short distances to work to be strongly associated with driving personal vehicles and not use ridesharing/cycling or public transport. Employees working in large sized firms are also found to use more of company provided transport. A policy prescription for Ahmedabad would be providing for efficient and inclusive public transport with creating awareness to depend less on private two and four wheelers