In this chapter we study a fully quantum two-qubit model that allows us to explore how propagating environmental dynamics can instigate and direct the evolution of spatially remote, non-interacting quantum systems. We demonstrate how energy dissipated into the environment can be remotely harvested to create transient excited states, and also identify how reorganisation triggered by system excitation can qualitatively and reversibly alter the dynamics of a ‘functional’ quantum system. With access to complete system-environment wave functions, we elucidate the microscopic processes underlying these phenomena and provide new insight into how they could be exploited for energy efficient quantum devices. In addition, we discuss the possible connection between this dissipative mechanism and the biological process of allosteric regulation.