Loss of work productivity in a warming world: Differences between developed and developing countries

JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION

卷:208

Article

Yu Shuang^1,2  Xia Jiangjiang^1,2  Yan Zhongwei^1,2  Zhang Anzhi¹  Xia Yang³  Guan Dabo³  Han Jiarui⁴  Wang Jun¹  Chen Liang¹  Liu Yakun⁵ 

[1] Chinese Acad Sci, Inst Atmospher Phys, CAS Key Lab Reg Climate Environment Temperate Eas, Beijing 100029, Peoples R China

[2] Univ Chinese Acad Sci, Beijing 100049, Peoples R China

[3] Univ East Anglia, Sch Int Dev, Norwich, Norfolk, England

[4] China Meteorol Adm, Training Ctr, Beijing 100081, Peoples R China

[5] Beijing Informat Sci & Technol Univ, Beijing 100192, Peoples R China

关键词: Heat waves;    Work productivity loss;    Representative concentration pathways;    Global warming targets;    Adaptation;    Mitigation;   

DOI  :  10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.10.067

来源: Elsevier

【 摘 要 】

Comparable estimates of the heat-related work productivity loss (WPL) in different countries over the world are difficult partly due to the lack of exact measures and comparable data for different counties. In this study, we analysed 4363 responses to a global online survey on the WPL during heat waves in 2016. The participants were from both developed and developing countries, facilitating estimates of the heat related WPL across the world for the year. The heat-related WPL for each country involved was then deduced for increases of 1.5, 2, 3 and 4 degrees C in the global mean surface temperature under the representative concentration pathway scenarios in climate models. The average heat-related WPL in 2016 was 6.6 days for developing countries and 3.5 days for developed countries. The estimated heat-related WPL was negatively correlated with the gross domestic product per capita. When global surface temperatures increased by 1.5, 2, 3 and 4 degrees C, the corresponding WPL was 9 (19), 12 (31), 22 (61) and 33 (94) days for developed (developing) countries, quantifying how developing countries are more vulnerable to climate change from a particular point of view. Moreover, the heat-related WPL was unevenly distributed among developing countries. In a 2 degrees C-warmer world, the heat-related WPL would be more than two months in Southeast Asia, the most influenced region. The results are considerable for developing strategy of adaptation especially for developing countries. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

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