Indoor labour productivity

Explanation of the problem

Many people work in buildings. During a heatwave, indoor temperatures can rise significantly. This occurs especially in buildings with poor insulation, dark roofs, a lot of glass, limited ventilation options, no air conditioning, no sun protection, and in spaces on the top floors. Many modern, well-insulated buildings with a lot of glass cannot dissipate the captured heat. As a result, during hot days, more short breaks are taken, workers may struggle to concentrate, and the likelihood of errors and accidents increases. This leads to health problems and a loss of labour productivity. This effect is not only relevant for managers of office and industrial buildings but also applies to schools, childcare facilities, and nursing homes.

Information and maps for better understanding

Basic maps according to the standardized stress test

• Map showing the number of warm nights per year (Climate Impact Atlas) → provides insight into the number of warm nights in the built-up area, now and in the future. If it doesn’t cool down outside at night, it becomes more challenging to keep buildings, offices, and industrial premises comfortably cool.