The United States (US) government looks set to launch a new initiative that will encourage federal employees to work from home, according to reports.

A debate at the House of Representatives recently saw congressman John Sarbanes make the case for home-based working as a way for organisations, including the national government, to reduce their carbon footprint.

Under the terms of a bill that could soon be made law, all federal agencies in the US would be obliged to introduce a teleworking policy and to monitor its progress effectively, reports the Washington Post.

Mr Sarbanes is reported to have explained that his plans were designed to "ensure that we in the government do our part to reduce automobile emissions".

A majority of Britons polled by ntl:Telewest recently said they viewed operating from home as an environmentally-friendly way to work.