A new World Economic Forum (WEF) and Boston Consulting Group (BCG) report warns that climate change will directly threaten workforce health and global productivity. If left unaddressed, businesses and governments could face $1.5 trillion in productivity losses annually by 2050 across four critical sectors.
- Food and agriculture,
- Built environment,
- Health and healthcare, and
- Insurance
Climate change is a long-term shift in temperature and weather patterns, mainly driven by human activities since the 1800s, especially the burning of fossil fuels. WEF reports “Climate change is increasingly felt through its consequences on human health, with rising costs to industry, governments, and communities.”
The findings are stark as climate stressors may cause 14.5 million excess deaths and $12.5 trillion in economic losses by 2050. Disadvantaged regions, women, children, and migrant communities will bear the heaviest burden.
Key Highlights of the Report:
- Food & Agriculture: 24 million people could face hunger by 2050; $740 billion in worker availability losses projected.
- Built Environment: At least $570 billion in productivity losses for construction workers vulnerable to heat and pollution.
- Health & Healthcare: $200 billion in worker losses and $1.1 trillion in added treatment costs by 2050.
- Insurance: Climate-driven excess mortality of 0.75% annually projected; only 8% of people in low-income communities have health insurance.
“Less than 5% of global climate adaptation funding targets health, a dangerous gap but also an opportunity for business-led solutions.”
Recommendations for Business & Policy Leaders:
Integrate worker health into resilience planning.
Invest in climate-smart agriculture and construction practices.
Strengthen preventive healthcare and climate-resilient medicines.
Expand insurance coverage in vulnerable populations.
Collaborate across sectors on data, policy, and financing to scale solutions.
The message is clear in the report that climate change is not only an environmental crisis but also a health and economic emergency. Building resilience today will protect workers, stabilize economies, and ensure sustainable growth.
