‘Risk to the workforce’: Why climate change is coming for your job

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illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on Euronews or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: A new report highlights how climate change, particularly extreme heat, is becoming a major threat to the global workforce
• Over a billion workers are exposed to heat episodes, with nearly a third suffering negative health effects
• This includes heat-related fatalities, such as the tragic death of a street cleaner in Barcelona, which sparked protests and led to new heat safety regulations

🔭 The context: With climate change causing rising temperatures, work environments are becoming increasingly dangerous
• The phenomenon is affecting productivity, health, and mental well-being
• Governments and companies are starting to adjust policies, but the challenge grows as temperatures continue to soar globally, especially in sectors like agriculture and construction

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Extreme heat not only risks lives but is also crippling productivity, particularly in heat-vulnerable industries
• These disruptions could lead to broader economic consequences, especially in low-income countries where workers are more exposed to these conditions
• Ensuring safe working conditions in the face of climate change is critical for economic stability and workers' health

⏭️ What's next: Governments and employers will need to implement stronger heat policies, such as adjusting work hours, ensuring better protective gear, and revising safety standards
• Ongoing research will be essential to understand the mental health impacts on workers and to develop resilient strategies in the face of intensifying heat waves

💬 One quote: “Employers will not be able to rely on air temperatures alone to guide them when to adjust work activities,” the International SOS report warns, highlighting the need for new, comprehensive extreme heat policies

📈 One stat: The World Meteorological Organization reports that worker productivity drops by 2-3% for every degree above 20℃, showing the significant economic impact of rising temperatures

See on illuminem's Data Hub™ the sustainability performance — carbon credit purchases, total emissions, and climate targets of thousands of companies

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See on illuminem's Data Hub™ the sustainability performance — carbon credit purchases, total emissions, and climate targets of thousands of companies