How is work affected by climate change in France?

The Increasing Exposure of French Workers to Extreme Temperatures

The latest Oxfam report, "Climate Change, We Are Not Ready", condemns the lack of anticipation from companies and elected officials regarding the impacts of heat on the world of work. This document follows the 2017 ANSES report, which already warned about the increasing risks associated with three major factors:

•    The rise in temperatures
•    The evolution of the biological and chemical environment
•    The change in the frequency and intensity of climate events
The conclusion is unequivocal: 36% of French workers are already exposed to temperatures exceeding 35°C in their workplace. This figure underscores the urgency to act to preserve employee health.

Which Workers Are Most Vulnerable?

Outdoor Workers

People working in sectors like agriculture, construction, or transportation are particularly exposed:
•    To extreme temperatures (heat and cold)
•    To the deterioration of air quality
•    To disease-carrying pests whose spread is facilitated by climate change

Indoor Workers

Contrary to popular belief, working indoors does not always provide sufficient protection:
•    Many workers operate in inadequately ventilated or air-conditioned environments
•    Poorly adapted buildings can become veritable furnaces
•    Public structures (hospitals, nursing homes, schools) are often the least equipped

The Alarming Impact on Schools

The Oxfam report highlights a particularly concerning situation for the educational sector:
By 2030, 55% of French schools will be exposed to temperatures exceeding 35°C
Even more worrying, 100% of kindergartens in Bouches-du-Rhône, Seine-Saint-Denis, Paris, and Gironde will be affected. These numbers raise the crucial question of the learning conditions for children and the working conditions for teachers.

The Economic and Health Consequences

Decrease in Productivity and Economic Losses

Heat has a direct and measurable impact on work efficiency:
•    From 24°C, a significant drop in productivity is observed
•    Above 30°C, productivity decreases by half
•    Heat stress is responsible for nearly 650 billion hours of lost work every year worldwide between 2001 and 2020
•    In France, these losses represent between 0.1% and 0.5% of GDP, equivalent to the hours lost during lockdowns related to Covid-19

Impact on Workers' Health

Exposure to excessive heat leads to:
•    Chronic fatigue
•    Decreased alertness and increased risk of accidents
•    Heat stress
•    Increase in work stoppages

The Urgency to Act in Response to the Acceleration of the Phenomenon

The situation will worsen rapidly for several reasons:
•    France is warming twice as fast as the global average
•    Europe is the continent experiencing the fastest warming
•    Heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense

Concrete Solutions to Adapt the World of Work

Diagnose to Act Better

Inaction is often explained by the difficulty in translating global figures into local impact. To remedy this:
1.    Conduct climate vulnerability assessments for each site
2.    Project the evolution of risks year by year
3.    Translate these risks into concrete economic and financial consequences

Invest in Adapting Workplaces

Solutions exist but require a long-term vision:
•    Improvement of ventilation and air conditioning
•    Greening buildings and outdoor spaces
•    Adapting working hours during periods of extreme heat
•    Training employees and managers in managing climate risks

Conclusion: Preserving Humanity at the Heart of Adaptation Strategies

Adapting work tools to climate change meets a triple necessity:
•    Economic: Preserve productivity and profitability
•    Heritage: Maintain the value of infrastructure
•    Human: Guarantee the well-being and health of workers

That is why tools like the Climate Performance Diagnosis from Tardigrade AI are a privileged means to understand current and future risks, and build a strategy for operational, financial, and human resilience.

FAQ: Impact of Climate Change on Work in France

What are the professional sectors most vulnerable to climate change in France?

The most exposed sectors are those involving outdoor work (agriculture, construction, transportation), as well as manufacturing industries where buildings are poorly suited to high temperatures. The public sector (education, health) is also heavily affected due to often aging infrastructure.

At what temperature does productivity at work begin to decrease?

Studies show that productivity starts to significantly decline at 24°C. Beyond 30°C, it can drop by 50%, directly impacting the economic performance of companies.

What legal obligations do employers have in France regarding temperatures in the workplace?

The Labor Code does not set a specific maximum temperature, but article R.4223-13 states that closed premises must be protected against excessive temperatures. The employer has a general duty of safety and must take appropriate measures to protect the health of workers.

How to calculate the economic cost of climate change for a company?

The cost can be evaluated by combining several factors: productivity losses related to high temperatures, increased sick leave, additional energy consumption for air conditioning, and potential disruptions in activity during extreme weather events.

How to conduct a climate vulnerability assessment for my company?

A climate vulnerability assessment generally consists of three steps: identifying climate risks specific to your location, assessing your facilities' and activities' sensitivity to these risks, and analyzing your capacity to adapt. Specialized providers like Tardigrade AI offer services to assist companies in this process.