Occupational health in the era of climate change and the green transition: a call for research
Year: 2025
Type: review
Abstract: Work and working conditions are fundamental social determinants of health. Climate change poses an urgent and growing threat to workers' health, through both direct exposure to environmental hazards and indirect exacerbation of social and health inequalities. Occupational health, which focusses on the promotion of mental and physical health and well-being of workers, is a key but often overlooked area in this context. Research at the intersection of climate change and occupational health remains limited. At the same time, climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts are driving rapid transformations in the workplace, including shifts towards sustainability and circular economy models. These transitions are creating new occupational hazards, including in renewable energy and circular economy sectors. We argue for increased investment in occupational health research and surveillance to address the evolving impacts of both climate change and the green transition, to better promote and protect workers' health and rights.
Institutions: Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Karolinska Institutet, Lund University, Erasmus MC, University of Cambridge, Barcelona Supercomputing Center, British Heart Foundation, Centre universitaire de médecine générale et santé publique, Lausanne, University of Lausanne, Aarhus University, Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, World Health Organization, International Labour Organization, Centre international de recherche sur le cancer, Halmstad University, National Institute for Health and Care Research, MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Imperial College London
Language: English
Subfield: Occupational Therapy
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $4,930
Funders: World Health Organization, Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades, National Institute for Health and Care Research, British Heart Foundation, European Commission, Svenska Forskningsrådet Formas, Generalitat de Catalunya, Vetenskapsrådet, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, International Arctic Research Center, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, HORIZON EUROPE Framework Programme, Bundesamt für Energie, Agencia Estatal de Investigación, National Cancer Institute, European Social Fund, HORIZON EUROPE Health
OpenAlex ID: W4411507692