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Occupational health in the era of climate change and the green transition: a call for research

  • Michelle C. Turner*
  • , Xavier Basagaña
  • , Maria Albin
  • , Karin Broberg
  • , Alex Burdorf
  • , Kim R. van Daalen
  • , Irina Guseva Canu
  • , Henrik A. Kolstad
  • , Manolis Kogevinas
  • , Rachel Lowe
  • , Neil Pearce
  • , Frank Pega
  • , Catherine Saget
  • , Mary K. Schubauer-Berigan
  • , Sara Svensson
  • , Paolo Vineis
  • , Kurt Straif
  • *Corresponding author for this work
  • Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)
  • Pompeu Fabra University
  • Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP)
  • Karolinska Institutet
  • Lund University
  • Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC)
  • University of Cambridge
  • University of Lausanne
  • Aarhus University
  • London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
  • ICREA
  • World Health Organization
  • International Labour Organization
  • International Agency for Research on Cancer
  • Halmstad University
  • MRC Centre for Environment and Health

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › Academic › peer-review

20 Citations (Scopus)
170 Downloads (Pure)

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.

Original languageEnglish
Article number101353
JournalThe Lancet Regional Health - Europe
Volume54
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2025

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2025 World Health Organization

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  1. SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
    SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
  2. SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy
    SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy
  3. SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production
    SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production
  4. SDG 13 - Climate Action
    SDG 13 Climate Action

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