Policy brief Work in the climate change challenge The effects of climate change are now visible and recognized, both on biodiversity and human health. However, the impacts on workers remain under-analyzed and under-discussed, even though certain professions could be on the front line. What are the occupational risks associated with increasing heat? Which workers and territories are most exposed? Are the regulatory and preventive measures sufficient? Published on : 29/06/2023 Temps de lecture 2 minutes Climate change affects all workers to differing degrees. High temperatures impair their physical and cognitive abilities, sometimes endangering their health and safety, especially in the presence of aggravating factors such as strenuous work tasks, fragile physical condition, or grueling home-work commutes. Occupational risks related to heat can ultimately reduce work productivity and hinder economic growth. The proportion of workers exposed to heat is not well-known today. In France, it is estimated to range from 14% to 36% according to various sources. Those most affected often work in agriculture or construction-related occupations. Over the next three decades, it will depend on the location of these workers. However, with few exceptions, there is no overlap between employment areas expected to experience a significant increase in extremely hot weather days and those characterized by an overrepresentation of heat-exposed professions. Existing regulatory measures are nevertheless insufficient as they are based on handling exceptional events, at the expense of a more structural and systemic approach. Although several national plans such as the Workplace Health Plan (PST – Plan Santé au travail), the French national climate change adaptation plan (PNACC - Plan national d’adaptation au changement climatique), and the National Health and Environment Plan (PNSE – Plan national Santé - Environnement) already address the issue .They lack coordination and overall interministerial guidance. Public authorities and the world of work must address these challenges to further structure national and local public action. The opinions expressed in this document are those of the authorsand are not intended to reflect the position of the government. Téléchargement Work in the climate change challenge Read the summary PDF - 361.0 Ko Read the full document in french PDF - 6 327.4 Ko Topics Changement climatique Travail Prospective Published by France Stratégie Authors Salima Benhamou Jean Flamand Reference Reference Fermer Reference Autres options d'export Version FR More Travailler dans la fonction publique : le défi de l'attractivité 15 % des postes offerts aux concours de la fonction publique d'Etat non pourvus en 2022, 21 % des lits de l'AP-HP fermés la même a... Compétences/métiers Travail Action publique Rapport 09 December 2024 Quelle évolution de la demande en eau d’ici 2050 ? Ce travail, commandé à l’automne 2023 par la Première ministre, étudie entre 2020 et 2050 les évolutions théoriques des prélèvemen... Changement climatique Alimentation/agriculture Ressources naturelles/biodiversité Note d’analyse 20 January 2025 L’industrie est-elle plus carbonée en France qu’en Allemagne ? L'intensité carbone est le rapport entre le volume d’émissions directes de gaz à effet de serre − c’est-à-dire celles qui résulten... Changement climatique Industrie Note d’analyse 12 November 2024
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