Companies are aware of the climate risk. They rarely measure the concrete effects on their teams. A report published by the Human Adaptation Institute, funded by the European Investment Bank, changes all that.
A study rooted in reality
For a year, the Human Adaptation Institute observed how Europeans experience heatwaves in practice. Not in theoretical models. On the ground, with thousands of people who agreed to share their experiences during the heatwave of August 2024. The rigorous protocol is based on participatory science methods. The results are indisputable.
Key figures
68% of French people experienced a significant deterioration in their sleep during the heatwave, compared with 45% in normal weather. The impact on cognition - concentration, decision-making and information processing - begins at an average of 24°C over 24 hours. This threshold is regularly reached in most regions of France, including in poorly adapted workplaces.
30% of people questioned are considering having to move house because of the heat. That's more than 20 million people in France. A strong signal about regional dynamics and talent retention in the medium term.
Looking beyond the overall figures, the report identifies behavioural profiles in the face of heat, maps inequalities in exposure between regions and between populations, and analyses the levers of adaptation that are producing measurable effects. It also documents the expectations that citizens have of businesses and public authorities - a useful insight for organisations that want to anticipate rather than suffer.
What this means for companies
Heat directly affects productivity, the quality of decision-making, safety in the workplace and the attractiveness of local areas. These effects are measurable, documented and already present.
To address these issues, we support organisations in their preparations: assessing human and economic risks, diagnosing operational vulnerabilities, designing adaptation measures and maintaining service continuity under extreme conditions.
Access the report
The report is available in its full version and as a summary for decision-makers. Two formats, one objective: to enable every organisation to move from awareness to decision.
To access the report, click here https://chk.me/BEhOg8y
Adaptation begins with knowledge. And knowledge leads to action.
