Climate change and the green transition are changing working conditions and introducing new safety risks

Finnish Institute of Occupational Health media release, 27 August 2025

As demonstrated by the record-breaking summer heatwave, climate change is no longer a future threat scenario, but also a current reality in Finland. A total of 22 consecutive days of temperatures of over 30 degrees Celsius were measured during July and August, which is the longest recorded period of very hot weather in Finland.

According to a recent scenario report by the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, long heatwaves and other extreme weather phenomena have an increasing impact on working conditions and work ability. Heat stress, humidity, UV radiation, slipperiness and exceptional weather conditions increase the risk of accidents. This applies especially to working outdoors, but these factors do make working conditions more challenging also in many indoor workplaces.

"Workplaces are not yet sufficiently aware of how climate change affects the physical and psychological demands of work and the operational practices of different organizations. Small and medium-sized companies in particular are not sufficiently prepared," says Arja Ala-Laurinaho, Senior Specialist at the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health. 

Risk assessment and preparing for exceptional situations require up-to-date knowledge and clear operational models. Workplaces can improve employee safety and promote coping with measures such as adjusting working hours, cooling down break rooms, introducing more breaks and monitoring conditions digitally.

The green transition can introduce unknown risks

The green transition is necessary to mitigate climate change and create a sustainable work life, but it must go hand in hand with occupational safety and health.

New technologies, materials and production methods may contain risk factors that are not yet understood well enough. For example, there are chemical exposures related to the hydrogen industry, biofuels and battery technology on which there is no comprehensive data. Similarly, there may remain some harmful substances in the circular economy material flows, which can endanger the health of employees.

Emission reduction targets may steer the planning of green transition projects so strongly that safety issues are not taken sufficiently into account. In order to prevent risks, safety must be integrated into the structures and management of the green transition at an early stage.

“Proactive safety work improves employee protections and also helps make the transition more acceptable at workplaces,” emphasizes Anna-Maria Teperi, Research Professor at the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health.

Recommendations for a sustainable work life

Sustainability goals will only be achieved if, alongside the green transition, attention is paid to developing the organization and management of work as well as daily practices. At best, the transition is implemented as joint efforts by various industries and organizations.

The report presents five key recommendations for decision-makers and workplaces:

• The green transition is included in strategic goals and its impacts on work life are taken into account at all levels.
• Legislation and public support are reformed to support socially sustainable and safe solutions.
• Sufficient resources are reserved for research, training and communication to anticipate and manage risks.
• Occupational health and safety practices are reformed to respond to the challenges posed by climate change and the green transition.
• Sustainability competence is strengthened at all levels of education and workplaces.

"An overall sustainability transformation of society requires national coordination. One possible new approach would be a national programme that produces and shares information, guidelines and good practices for supporting a sustainable and safe green transition," Teperi suggests.

Read the reports and register for the webinar

• This bulletin is based on the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health’s Climate Change and the Green Transition report. The report is part of the Direction of Work Life series, which examines the development of work life by 2035. The other parts of the series address technological, demographic and socio-cultural change.
• All the Direction of Work Life reports are available on the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health website.
• The Direction of Work Life webinar on 10 September will focus on socio-cultural change, climate change and the green transition. You can register for the webinar until 9 September.

Lisätiedot

• Arja Ala-Laurinaho, arja.ala-laurinaho@ttl.fi, 040 562 0906
• Anna-Maria Teperi, anna-maria.teperi@ttl.fi, 043 825 7454