The United Kingdom's Climate Change Committee has issued a strong warning. It says extreme heat is the greatest health risk from climate change. The committee has urged the government to set maximum temperature rules for workplaces. Currently, there is no legal maximum working temperature in the UK. Advisers say this must change to protect workers from increasingly dangerous conditions.
Baroness Brown, chair of the committee's Adaptation Committee, criticised past government action. She described the performance of successive governments as inadequate. She stated that aspects of the British way of life are now under threat. The committee warned that over ninety percent of homes could overheat during extreme heatwaves. It also reported that heatwaves could cause up to ten thousand excess deaths annually.
The committee pointed to Spain as a useful example for the UK. In Spain, the maximum legal indoor temperature is twenty-seven degrees for seated work. Baroness Brown explained that worker productivity drops significantly in very hot conditions. She added that people become more prone to making mistakes and having accidents. The committee hopes such rules would encourage businesses to invest in cooling technology.
Adapting to climate change will require substantial investment from both sectors. The committee estimates the cost at roughly eleven billion pounds per year. However, climate impacts already cost the UK up to sixty billion pounds annually. The advisers are confident that early investment would save tens of billions in the future. Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds said the government would carefully consider the recommendations.
