UK should set maximum working temperature rules, advisers say

The UK government’s Climate Change Committee (CCC) has called for the introduction of maximum temperature limits in workplaces to protect people as heatwaves become more frequent and severe due to climate change. The advisory body emphasized the urgent need to install air conditioning and other cooling technologies in public buildings such as schools and hospitals. The CCC warned that extreme heat, alongside droughts and floods, poses a significant threat to the British way of life, affecting everything from sports events to cultural festivals. Baroness Brown, chair of the CCC’s Adaptation Committee, criticized successive governments for their inadequate response to climate risks, highlighting a lack of prioritization in adapting to the changing climate. While the CCC did not specify a precise maximum temperature for workplaces, it referenced Spain’s legal limits of 27°C for sedentary indoor work and 25°C for light physical work as a potential model. The committee stressed that the UK’s infrastructure and systems were designed for a climate that no longer exists, underscoring the urgent need for adaptation measures. The CCC’s warnings come amid record-breaking weather events in the UK, including the first recorded 40°C temperature in July 2022, the warmest year on record last year, and severe flooding during the 2023-24 winter. These events illustrate the increasing volatility of the UK’s climate, with projections indicating more intense summer droughts and winter floods. The committee also highlighted the risk of water shortages, with potential daily shortfalls exceeding five billion litres in England without stronger water management policies. While the CCC reaffirmed the importance of reducing carbon emissions to limit future warming, it acknowledged that some climate impacts are now unavoidable. The committee’s recommendations aim to prompt government action to safeguard public health and infrastructure against the escalating threats posed by climate change, emphasizing that adaptation is as critical as mitigation in the UK’s climate strategy.