What? Climate risks and adaptation in the workplace - knowledge exchange workshop

When? 16 September, 10:00 – 13:00

Where? Teams (link to meeting to be sent out in follow up email a week before the event)

About this event

As the climate changes, impacts from changing temperature and rainfall patterns and more extreme weather events are already affecting Scottish workers. Our workplaces were not designed to cope with these new conditions. More frequent disruption, along with negative impacts on health and wellbeing and productivity are being observed across all sectors. The Scottish trade union movement is committed to safeguarding workers' wellbeing today and in the future.

Aim of the project

Protecting workers in a changing climate requires workplaces to be more resilient to the physical impacts of climate change. In a joint project with the Scottish Trades Union Congress, Adaptation Scotland and UNISON Scotland, with other interested trade unionists, are working together looking at adaptation in Scotland’s workplaces. The project will deliver a handbook and video presentation resources that will help trade union reps to champion well-designed workplace adaptation solutions that also help tackle inequality, social justice and other issues affecting workers.

What will be covered?

Introduction to the climate emergency, what it is and what it means for Scotland and the health, safety and wellbeing of Scotland's workers
Examples of how climate impacts are already impacting schools, offices, shops, warehousing, care homes, hospitals, offshore and outdoor workplace settings
The intersectionality of climate risks with causes of inequality (i.e., education, socioeconomic status, race, sex, disability, and gender issues)
The socioeconomic benefits of adaptation action including links to the Just Transition movement and opportunities for green recovery and job creation
What does a resilient workplace and well adapted workforce look like? What climate impacts are being felt today? How will working practices have to change?
Practical green workplace actions that can be taken to adapt to our changing climate, build resilience and protect workers, and
Where to access further information

Who is it for?

The session is open to members of all Scottish trade unions. It will, of course, be of particular interest to health and safety and green /environment reps but no prior knowledge or experience is required. The workshop builds upon the preliminary webinar held on 13 July which provided an overview of how climate change will impact Scottish workplaces. However, all are welcome and there is no need to have attended the preliminary webinar to attend this workshop. A video of the previous session can be viewed here:

Why attend?

To find out more, share your views and help to develop resources to protect workers from the impacts of the climate emergency please attend this interactive knowledge exchange workshop.

What will this event deliver for Scottish TU representatives?

This session will:

Help reps understand the key risks posed to workers from climate change now and in the future and allow workers and their union representatives to be informed partners in managing these risks and designing good adaptation for Scotland’s workplaces.
Provide a chance to share your voice and that of your sector, to ensure that the resources are relevant to your workplace.
Upskill and empower participants to frame climate change as a H&S and social justice issue and campaign to centre workers’ rights and comfort as adaptation solutions are developed.
Make climate change risks and adaptation and resilience more relevant to your sector so that reps feel better equipped to act and cascade resilience through their workplace.
Help Trade Unionists engage with COP26 and build on the momentum from Glasgow being the host city.
Help deliver holistic adaptation solutions which address not just climate risks, but other big issues including green recovery, social justice, and community resilience.
Promote the latest information so that workplace decisions are informed by up to date science

How else can you get involved?

If you would like to contribute your views but are unable to attend the webinar, then email cat@sniffer.org.uk or complete the survey monkey here:

The presentations from this event will be recorded and will be hosted online after the workshop as an ongoing resource for trade unionists working on adaptation in the workplace.

Climate Adaptation in the Workplace - Workshop for Scottish Trade Unionists