Climate impacts at work: supporting a climate ready workforce

This report describes how climate change is already affecting workers. Undertaken with project partners Friends of the Earth and with the assistance of six Victorian unions, it is based on a survey of paid workers’ experiences of climate-related disruptions and stresses. Respondents reported numerous impacts on their capacity to do their jobs properly, including impacts created by effects on their co-workers, clients and organisations. The results point to the multiple, proliferating and often unexpected and insidious ways climate change is impacting work.

Overall, the results point to the multiple, proliferating and often insidious ways climate change is impacting work. They also document workers’ high levels of concern about climate change and fear and frustration about inaction on it, including some organisations’ lack of responsiveness to the growing stresses workers are under. Workers offered various suggestions about what measures are needed, including new OH&S measures, training and education, and more flexible work options.