What CIOs Should Know About Corporate Heat Pledges
Corporate climate commitments are beginning to shift. For years, most businesses focused on reducing carbon emissions. Now, a different type of pledge is emerging. Companies are starting to commit to protecting their people, buildings and operations from rising temperatures.
These corporate heat pledges recognise a simple fact. Cutting emissions does not shield a business from climate impacts that are already here. However, climate risk adviser Mark Trexler has raised concerns. He warns that these pledges risk becoming symbolic gestures unless they are grounded in measurable risk management and tied to long-term strategy.
The distinction matters for UK businesses. You can meet every carbon reduction target and still face operational disruption from a heatwave. Consequently, adaptation and mitigation now need to run in parallel.
Heat stress is already a global workplace hazard
The numbers are stark. At least 2.41 billion workers are exposed to excessive heat at work each year, according to the International Labour Organization. The same research estimates that excessive heat contributes to 22.85 million occupational injuries annually. It also links heat to 18,970 work-related deaths and 2.09 million disability-adjusted life years.
The ILO defines heat stress as heat received beyond the body's capacity to tolerate it without physiological harm. Effects include heat exhaustion, heatstroke, cardiovascular problems and kidney injury. In severe cases, heat stress can be fatal.
Productivity begins to decline at temperatures above approximately 24 to 26 degrees Celsius. At 33 to 34 degrees, a worker performing moderate-intensity work can lose about half their work capacity. Under a 1.5 degree warming scenario, heat stress could eliminate 2.2 per cent of global working hours in 2030. That is equivalent to roughly 80 million full-time jobs and about 2.4 trillion US dollars in economic losses.
This burden extends beyond outdoor occupations. Warehouses, factories and poorly ventilated offices also expose workers to dangerous conditions. This is particularly true where cooling is inadequate or electricity supplies are unreliable.
Why pledges without structure can become performative
Trexler argues that heat does not represent a separate business risk category in the same way that cybersecurity or supply chain disruption might. Instead, it is one expression of broader climate risk. That risk also includes flooding, wildfire, drought, infrastructure failure and insurance pressures.
He also cautions that heat pledges may be adopted because extreme heat is highly visible in public debate. It offers an accessible environmental, social and governance message. Without a rigorous implementation plan, a pledge could generate positive publicity without materially reducing exposure.
Measurement presents another challenge. Companies may respond by installing large numbers of sensors and creating dashboards that report average temperatures across facilities. Those systems can be useful. However, Trexler warns that measurement can become "performative art" if the organisation focuses more on displaying data than on reducing danger.
A credible pledge therefore needs to answer practical questions. Which employees, facilities and suppliers face the greatest heat exposure? What temperature or heat-index thresholds trigger action? Who is accountable for intervention? How will the company protect workers during power outages? How will progress be audited? What happens when climate conditions exceed the assumptions used to establish the pledge?
Air conditioning alone introduces new vulnerabilities
Air conditioning can reduce indoor heat exposure. Nevertheless, relying on cooling alone may introduce new vulnerabilities. Rising temperatures are expected to increase electricity demand for cooling, potentially placing additional pressure on power grids.
If the grid fails during an extreme heat event, a company that depends entirely on mechanical cooling may lose both its primary protection and its operational capacity. Trexler therefore points to passive measures as alternatives or complements to energy-intensive cooling systems. These include improved airflow and building design.
Potential adaptation measures include better insulation, shading and reflective roofing. Natural ventilation and improved airflow can help. Heat-resistant equipment and building materials also play a role. Backup power for critical cooling and safety systems is essential. Flexible working hours during peak heat can reduce exposure. Rest, hydration and shaded recovery areas should be available. Heat-health training and early-warning procedures prepare teams. Operational thresholds allow work to be paused or relocated.
The most effective measures will vary by facility, geography, workforce and industry. A data centre, construction site, manufacturing plant and office campus will not face the same exposure or require the same controls.
Technology leaders need to embed climate data in decision-making
Heat adaptation increasingly intersects with information technology. Chief information officers may be responsible for facility management systems, sensors, data platforms, business continuity tools and workplace applications. They often oversee infrastructure that supports operational decision-making.
However, Trexler's central recommendation is that climate risk should not be left solely to the CIO, chief risk officer or chief financial officer. It should be incorporated into corporate strategy, overseen at board level and connected to fiduciary responsibility.
For technology leaders, that means moving beyond dashboards. Climate data should be treated as an input to decisions. Where should you locate or relocate data centres and offices? How do you design resilient networks and backup systems? Which facilities require redundant power and cooling? How do you integrate weather alerts with workforce and operations software? How do you test business continuity under prolonged heat and power disruption? How do you assess climate exposure among critical technology suppliers?
Trexler recommends using a strategic pre-mortem. Imagine that the company nearly failed because of climate change in a future year. Then work backward to identify the events, dependencies and decisions that produced that outcome. This exercise can reveal risks that a static pledge or annual compliance review might miss.
Climate risk is not fixed and assumptions must be revisited
A major difficulty is that climate risk is not fixed. Historical averages may no longer provide a reliable baseline for future planning. Events once considered rare may occur more frequently. Trexler notes that hazards previously expected once every century could occur on much shorter timescales.
This creates a problem for pledges built around one-time infrastructure upgrades or fixed temperature assumptions. A resilient programme should be revisited as climate projections, local conditions, building performance and operational dependencies change.
Companies should consider combining location-specific climate projections with heat-index and occupational health data. Facility vulnerability assessments are essential. Scenario analysis and stress testing reveal weaknesses. Worker feedback and incident reporting provide real-world evidence. Regular reviews of thresholds, controls and investment needs keep the programme relevant.
Essential elements of a credible heat pledge
A meaningful pledge should be specific enough to be tested and broad enough to address the full business system. The following elements are essential:
- Define whether the commitment covers employees, contractors, suppliers, facilities and communities.
- Identify heat exposure by location, job type, building and critical process through a thorough risk assessment.
- Establish enforceable procedures for hydration, rest, shade, scheduling, protective equipment and work stoppage to protect workers.
- Address cooling, ventilation, insulation, backup power and grid dependence to build infrastructure resilience.
- Use reliable forecasts and clear escalation procedures for early warning.
- Assign responsibility to executives, facility managers, operational leaders and board committees.
- Track incidents, exposure hours, operational interruptions, response times and corrective actions, not merely the number of sensors installed.
- Update the pledge as climate conditions and scientific projections evolve through a regular review cycle.
- Report progress, limitations and failures rather than only positive outcomes to ensure transparency.
The International Labour Organization emphasizes that workplace adaptation should be supported by occupational safety standards, heat early-warning systems and cooperation among governments, employers and workers. Corporate action is therefore most effective when it complements, rather than replaces, public regulation and climate policy.
Implications for UK businesses facing operational and legal exposure
Corporate heat pledges reflect a broader shift in climate management. The question is no longer just how companies can reduce their environmental impact. Businesses must also ask how they will continue operating in a more hazardous physical environment.
The business implications extend beyond employee welfare. Heat can reduce productivity and interrupt operations. It can damage infrastructure and increase energy costs. Supply chains can be strained. Companies face legal, insurance and reputational risks. For technology-dependent organisations, a heat-related facility failure can also affect data availability, customer service and cybersecurity operations.
UK businesses also face specific compliance considerations. The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 requires employers to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of employees. The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require risk assessments that include environmental hazards. As extreme heat events become more frequent, employers who fail to assess and manage heat risk could face enforcement action or civil claims.
Public sector suppliers face additional scrutiny. Procurement Policy Note 06/21 requires suppliers bidding for central government contracts above certain thresholds to demonstrate effective carbon reduction plans. While PPN 06/21 focuses on emissions, future procurement frameworks may also assess climate resilience and adaptation. Suppliers unable to demonstrate credible continuity plans could find themselves excluded from tender processes.
Insurance is another pressure point. Insurers are increasingly pricing climate risk into commercial policies. Businesses that fail to adapt may face higher premiums, reduced coverage or policy exclusions. Conversely, companies that can demonstrate resilience through documented risk management may secure more favourable terms.
Practical steps for SMEs starting to assess heat exposure
Small and medium businesses may not have the resources for large-scale sensor networks or dedicated climate risk teams. Nevertheless, you can begin with practical steps that do not require significant capital investment.
Start with a simple site assessment. Identify which parts of your operation are most exposed to heat. This includes outdoor work, buildings with poor ventilation, and processes that generate heat. Map your workforce. Which employees work in those areas? What are their hours? Are there vulnerable individuals, such as older workers or those with pre-existing health conditions?
Review your business continuity plans. Do they account for prolonged heat events? What happens if a heatwave coincides with a power outage? Do you have backup systems? Can you relocate critical operations? Have you tested these arrangements?
Engage your team. Workers often know where the risks are before management does. Create a channel for reporting heat-related concerns. Make it clear that raising these issues will not result in penalty. Track incidents, near misses and complaints. This data will help you prioritise action.
Consider low-cost interventions. Reflective window film can reduce heat gain. Portable fans improve airflow. Flexible start times allow workers to avoid peak heat. Water stations and rest areas are inexpensive. Training on recognising heat stress symptoms costs little but can prevent serious harm.
Look at your supply chain. Which of your suppliers are exposed to heat risk? A critical supplier experiencing heat-related disruption can halt your operations even if your own sites are protected. Ask suppliers about their continuity plans. Build redundancy where possible.
Finally, set a review cycle. Climate risk is not static. What works this year may be insufficient in five years. Schedule annual reviews of your heat risk assessment, controls and continuity plans. Update your assumptions as climate projections change.
Connecting heat resilience to carbon reporting and net zero strategies
Heat adaptation and carbon reduction are not separate tracks. They are linked. Businesses working towards net zero targets must also prepare for the climate impacts that cannot be avoided.
Many UK SMEs are already reporting carbon emissions to meet PPN 06/21 compliance requirements. That reporting process generates data on energy use, facilities and operations. The same data can inform heat risk assessments. For example, a warehouse with high energy consumption for cooling may also be highly vulnerable to grid failures during heat events.
Adaptation measures can also support carbon reduction. Passive cooling through improved insulation and natural ventilation reduces reliance on energy-intensive air conditioning. This lowers emissions and operating costs. Similarly, flexible working arrangements that reduce commuting during extreme heat can cut transport emissions.
However, there are trade-offs. Installing backup diesel generators improves resilience but increases emissions. Air conditioning protects workers but raises energy demand. These tensions need to be managed, not ignored. A credible strategy acknowledges the trade-offs and seeks to minimise them through design, technology and operational choices.
Businesses preparing carbon reduction plans for procurement or regulatory purposes should consider integrating heat resilience into those documents. This demonstrates that the business is managing climate risk comprehensively, not just ticking a compliance box.
Where to find authoritative guidance and data
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero publishes climate projections and adaptation guidance. The UK Climate Risk Independent Assessment provides detailed analysis of climate hazards facing the UK, including extreme heat.
The Health and Safety Executive offers guidance on workplace temperature and thermal comfort. While UK regulations do not set a maximum workplace temperature, the HSE provides practical advice on managing heat risk and fulfilling legal duties under health and safety law.
The Met Office issues heat-health alerts and extreme weather warnings. These alerts can be integrated into business continuity plans and early-warning systems.
The International Labour Organization publishes research and guidance on heat stress and occupational safety. Its reports provide global context and evidence that can inform corporate policies and risk assessments.
For sector-specific guidance, trade associations and professional bodies may offer tailored resources. The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health, for example, provides training and resources on managing environmental hazards at work.