Decent Work in a Changing Climate

Abstract

Climate change is placing increased pressures on workers, including their health, working conditions, and economic outcomes. Whilst efforts by international governance mechanisms and governments espouse the need to achieve decent work, in reality, the threats facing workers are shifting. In this article, we begin to assess how decent work is undermined by climate change. We explore what barriers render decent work increasingly out of reach for some workers in the context of a changing climate. Using examples from the literature, we review different sectors, geographies, and climate impacts, such as extreme heat, flooding, and wildfires, to assess the varied risks to workers. We outline some of the extant approaches in policy and labour rights spaces to identify integrated solutions for decent work in a changing climate. Finally, we conclude that a future shift in discourse is needed to ensure decent work becomes the minimum standard when addressing labour rights and climate change concerns, including centring expertise from worker-led initiatives.