Heatwaves Threaten Productivity

Extreme heat could cost Cyprus between €2.3 billion and €3.8 billion by 2050 unless workplaces are adapted to cope with rising temperatures, according to a new study by the Cyprus Institute released on Wednesday.

Increasingly frequent and intense heatwaves could force employees working outdoors or in poorly cooled environments to reduce their working hours or stop work altogether during unsafe conditions.

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The research focused on sectors including construction, agriculture and tourism, where workers are particularly exposed to high temperatures and direct sunlight.

Economic Losses Expected To Grow

Comparing future projections with conditions recorded between 1980 and 2020, researchers found that employees are likely to face a growing number of days when temperatures exceed safe limits for normal work.

Lost working hours and lower productivity could cost the economy around €101 million by 2030, with annual losses rising to approximately €303 million by 2050.

Without measures to protect workers and adapt workplaces, the cumulative economic impact over the next 25 years could reach between €2.3 billion and €3.8 billion, the study estimates.

Researchers Call For Workplace Adaptation

Professor Theodore Zachariades, one of the study’s authors, said the research is the first to quantify the economic impact of lost working hours caused by extreme heat using Cyprus-specific data.

He warned that the financial burden would increase as very hot days become more frequent and prolonged in the years ahead. According to Zachariades, workers most exposed to high temperatures could also face serious health risks, highlighting the need for measures that protect both their wellbeing and their ability to work.

The Cyprus Institute said the findings underscore the importance of reducing the impact of rising temperatures on employees and the wider economy.