World Environment Day
The flip side of the repercussions of climate change poses serious threats to workers and the workplace.
World Environment Day, adopted by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and celebrated annually on June 5 since 1973, serves as a premier global platform to raise awareness about the importance of the environment. This day, commemorated by millions of people worldwide, will be observed this year under the theme: “Our Earth, Our Future”. We are the #Restoration_Generation.
Climate change has become evident as it affects many aspects of human life, including weather patterns, the spread of new viruses, migration, and mobility. However, its consequences are particularly detrimental to the work environment. The most concerning effects are reduced productivity, declining job opportunities, and decreased gross domestic product (GDP). According to recent studies conducted by the International Labor Organization, the global temperature increase of 1.5° degrees Celsius by 2030 could result in a 2.2% loss of working hours, equivalent to eliminating 80 million full-time jobs.
Occupational hazards associated with climate change
Every worker will be affected by the impacts of global warming, although the extent of this impact varies depending on their occupational status and exposure to associated risks. According to the National Institute for Research and Safety (INRS), occupational risks related to heat become apparent at temperatures of 28° degrees Celsius for physically demanding jobs and 30° degrees for sedentary activity. An analysis combining around a hundred studies conducted in thirty countries shows that workers exposed to temperatures ranging from 22° to 25° degrees Celsius (depending on workload density) are four times more likely to suffer from heat stress, leading to fatigue, exhaustion, and reduced capacities.
Heat also increases the risk of workplace accidents, such as falls, injuries, and human errors when dealing with equipment, which can be fatal at times, especially during severe heatwaves. For outdoor activities, repeated exposure to ultraviolet radiation can lead to serious diseases, including skin cancer.
However, heat exposure not only affects workers’ health but also impacts the work environment itself: machinery and infrastructure become riskier and more prone to hazards, increasing the likelihood of workplace accidents. Production facilities would also be dealing with employee absenteeism and deteriorating work quality. In the manufacturing sector, a recent study showed that after seven consecutive days of temperatures exceeding 35° degrees Celsius, absenteeism increases by 5%.
Moreover, the reduced mental and physical capabilities of workers due to heat also represent a significant economic cost: since it can lead to a decrease in work productivity, ultimately hindering economic growth. However, studies evaluating occupational risks on work productivity are relatively rare. Therefore, current estimates differ greatly due to the lack of consistency in the methodologies used.
Reconciling climate action and employment: pathways to sustainability
Massive investments in climate change adaptation cannot only help mitigate the harmful effects of climate change but can also create significant employment opportunities and income sources across various sectors. These investments can focus on initiatives such as expanding coastal protection, enhancing buildings and infrastructure, efficiently managing water, and updating crop harvesting techniques. However, this adaptation will require the widespread deployment of new technologies and the relocation of industrial facilities from hazardous areas.
For example, in the agricultural sector, adaptation to climate change can have varying impacts on labor and income, depending on the labor requirements for new crops, agricultural practices adopted, and their compatibility with small-scale farming. To enable these adaptation investments, it is crucial that low-income farmers, small enterprises, and marginalized communities have access to appropriate financing. This requires significant contributions from donors and clear government policies, as evident in many countries that have already adopted national programs for sustainable development.
According to a study conducted by the International Labor Organization based primarily on industrialized countries’ quantitative assessments, transitioning to a low-carbon economy should generally result in a net increase in jobs. However, this gain may be modest, as this change involves profound shifts in labor markets, with significant job losses in some sectors offset by larger gains in others. The lost jobs are also expected to be primarily well-paying jobs, where collective bargaining can play a crucial role in facilitating labor market adaptation while mitigating social costs. These negotiations can particularly focus on the skills required to facilitate this transition.
ATUC: Workers Have the Right to Refuse Working under Scorching Sun
The Arab Trade Union Confederation launched a regional campaign last year regarding the issue of working under scorching sun rays, shedding light on the widespread violations affecting workers in the construction, agriculture, and cleaning sectors by forcing them to work under the sun and in health-threatening temperatures.
ATUC considers the issue of Just Transition to be the most complex file in the region of all time given that climate changes will cause profound upheavals in labor markets and demographic changes whose ramifications cannot be predicted.
In this regard, the Executive Secretary of the Arab Trade Union Confederation said, “We estimate within our union that the issue of Just Transition urges labor union to develop a unified vision to advocate for it in all international forums, at the top of which climate summits, to advocate a Just Transition that balances economic interests and workers’ social rights.” She added, “Therefore, during this year, we intend to enlarge the work of the Arab Trade Union Center for Just Transition, in which we will collaborate with our member organizations, as well as several global sectoral organizations, aiming to strengthen our positions and sustainably monitor the Just Transition issue in the Arab region.”
#World_Enviroment_Day
