Rising Temperatures, Rising Risks

Coauthored with Kate Monahan and Andrea Ranger, Trillium Asset Management 

The pervasiveness of heat waves and long-duration hot and humid weather poses serious risks to workers—and to employers as well. When companies fail to adequately protect their workers from heat exposure, they may be inviting health emergencies, accidents, and injuries. As a result, they can face a range of business risks, such as productivity and revenue losses, increased workers’ compensation claims, and potentially, litigation.  

However, investors may be unaware that the companies they invest in are not prioritizing the health and safety of their workers. Moreover, investors may lack the necessary resources, experience, and knowledge to assess whether companies are credibly addressing the threat of heat stress within their workforce.  

This brief from NRDC and Trillium Asset Management helps investors better understand the impact of heat on revenue growth and profitability and how companies can prevent heat injuries and assess heat risk exposure.