Climate Challenges Decent Work

Climate change and shifting environmental conditions are presenting new challenges for the workplace. Rising temperatures, heat stress and more frequent extreme weather events can impact labour markets, affect working conditions and introduce or exacerbate occupational risks. These developments underline the importance of effective countermeasures, such as training, prevention, risk assessment and protective measures in the workplace.

Against this backdrop, Germany’s Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and Türkiye’s Ministry of Labour and Social Security intend to leverage COP31 in Antalya to highlight the impact changing climate conditions have on workers around the world. The event will focus on approaches to identifying, assessing and preventing risks for workers and on reviewing and enhancing existing OSH systems so that they can adapt effectively to changing working conditions. It will also outline the expected impact on labour markets and how this impact can be mitigated.

Relevant aspects of the discussion may include the assessment of shifting workplace conditions caused by climate change and extreme weather events, such as heat stress. Key topics will cover the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases, appropriate protective measures, worker information and training, and the pivotal role of occupational safety and health professionals. Furthermore, the panel will address how climate change affects labour markets worldwide. This could result in redefined job profiles and the emergence of new jobs. Reskilling and upskilling workers is the next step to meet these challenges.

The discussion would provide an opportunity to exchange experiences on how existing OSH frameworks can be adapted in order to meet the new climate-related risks in the workplace. Particular attention could be given to measures that can be implemented by employers and workers within established occupational safety and health systems.

However, focus could also be placed on the expectations concerning substantial changes to labour markets and job profiles, skills development, qualifications and training. Evaluations and experiences could be discussed in view of evolving labour markets, health and safety requirements for workplaces indoors as well as outdoors.

The event is bound to bring together representatives of governments, employers’ and workers’ organisations, international organisations and possibly academia. Social dialogue would provide an important perspective by leveraging the experience of the different actors involved in both identifying expected labour market challenges and workplace risks and then developing and implementing countermeasures.

The event would be open to all interested countries, international organisations, social partners, academia and other relevant stakeholders as well as all participants of COP 31.