Rising heat reduces working capacity: Report

HEAT stress induced by climate change decreases work productivity, a report brought out by the UN health and climate agencies says, adding that the productivity of workers in extreme heat drops by two to three per cent for every degree above an ambient temperature of 20°C.

- JITENDRA CHOUBEY @New Dethi

According to the report from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), approximately half of the global population suffers adverse effects due to high temperatures. The report, titled ‘Climate Change and Workplace Heat Stress,’ emphasises that the frequency and intensity of extreme heat events have risen sharply, posing increased risks to both outdoor and indoor workers, particularly in developing countries like India.