The Climate and Labour research theme at ISSIE adopts a transdisciplinary approach to explore the intersections between climate change, environmental sustainability, and the world of work. It focuses on how climate impacts affect workers’ rights, livelihoods, and working conditions, particularly among vulnerable and marginalized groups. Recognizing that the climate crisis is both an environmental and a profound social and economic challenge, this theme examines how climate change reshapes labor markets, intensifies risks for outdoor and informal workers, and demands new models of social protection and solidarity.

 

Key areas of focus include:

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• Climate vulnerabilities of workers, particularly outdoor and precarious workers such as motorcycle taxi drivers, construction workers, agricultural laborers, and delivery riders.

• Occupational health and safety risks resulting from extreme heat, floods, air pollution, and other climate-induced hazards.

• Just transition frameworks, ensuring that climate action and green transitions promote decent work, social justice, and economic inclusion.

• Policy innovation, identifying gaps and opportunities to integrate labor rights into climate governance at national and regional levels.

• Workers' participation and agency, amplifying the voices of those most affected by the climate crisis in shaping sustainable and equitable futures.

• Integrative solutions, linking climate action with labor rights, social protection, and solidarity economy models to build resilience.

 

By combining academic research, participatory action, and policy advocacy, ISSIE’s Climate and Labour theme strives to generate transformative knowledge and practical pathways toward climate-resilient and socially just economies.