According to research findings, warm weather diminishes workers’ efficiency, even in workplaces equipped with air conditioning. This study, orchestrated by the University of Exeter, meticulously monitored the relationship between outdoor temperatures and employees’ productivity levels within a technologically advanced manufacturing facility in China. Despite the factory being regulated by climate control systems, the research unveiled a consistent decline in productivity by 0.83% with each degree Celsius rise in the external temperature. The investigation highlighted that nocturnal warmth, potentially disrupting sleep patterns, contributed to this productivity downturn. However, it was observed that daytime temperatures significantly impacted work efficiency, regardless of more excellent conditions at night. The exact mechanisms behind this phenomenon remain uncertain, but the study provides a stark warning regarding the implications of escalating global temperatures on economic activities.
Dr Jingnan Chen of the University of Exeter emphasized the broad spectrum of climate change impacts, noting the importance of recognizing its effects on individual lives alongside large-scale environmental transformations. Prior studies have consistently shown that heat adversely affects the work output of individuals in outdoor environments or settings lacking air conditioning. This new evidence, illustrating the influence of heat on productivity in an environment with a controlled climate, sheds light on the potential economic ramifications of climate change.
Dr Miguel Fonseca further articulated that reliance on technological solutions such as climate-controlled environments might not be adequate for offsetting the impacts of heightened outdoor temperatures. The research employed an innovative approach by analyzing data related to the daily maximum ‘wet bulb’ temperature—a metric accounting for both humidity and heat—and correlating it with detailed work performance records across 35,190 shifts involving 635 male workers.
The factory in this study specializes in producing silicon wafers, which are crucial for manufacturing solar panels. Given the sensitive nature of these components, the production area is maintained at a constant temperature of 25°C and 60% relative humidity to preserve the quality of the wafers. Nonetheless, the observed 0.83% reduction in productivity per degree Celsius increase in temperature resulted in a significant decrease in the number of wafers produced per worker. Furthermore, the study discovered that when the ‘wet bulb’ temperature exceeded 28°C, productivity plummeted by 5.8% compared to standard conditions.
These findings underscore the urgent need for strategies beyond mere technological interventions to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change on workplace productivity and, by extension, the global economy.
More information: Jingnan Chen et al, How Much Will Climate Change Reduce Productivity in a High-Technology Supply Chain? Evidence from Silicon Wafer Manufacturing, Environmental and Resource Economics. DOI: 10.1007/s10640-023-00803-4
Journal information: Environmental and Resource Economics Provided by University of Exeter