4.2 Health impacts Amid increasing climate stress, the design and condition of the built environment directly impact the health of the population. As global temperatures rise, risks to both urban populations and sector workers are growing – especially in poorly planned areas (such as informal settlements in low-income cities) and among vulnerable labour groups. Top climate-driven health risks for built environment consumers TABLE 4 Heat-related illness Urban areas with abundant concrete and limited green spaces trap heat, creating UHIs. During heatwaves, people in neighbourhoods without significant tree cover or cooling centres experience higher rates of heat stroke and mortality (particularly the elderly or those without air-conditioning).Injury and mortality Infrastructure that’s not designed for today’s extreme weather is more vulnerable to storms, floods and other hazards, exposing communities and inhabitants to increased risk of injury or death.Respiratory illness Urban heat and pollution (or smog) worsen respiratory health. This is compounded by poor ventilation and prolonged high temperatures. The UHI effect, in conjunction with transport-related air pollutants, has been found to increase hospital respiratory admissions. Construction workers in urban environments face the most direct health risks, including exposure to poor air quality, mosquitoes, extreme heat and severe weather. It’s anticipated that the construction workforce will incur at least 120,000 deaths and 30 million DALYs worldwide from 2025 to 2050 due to select climate-health risks. Top climate-driven health risks for built environment workers TABLE 5 Heat-related illness Rising temperatures increase the risk of heat stress for outdoor workers. Physically intense work and the UHI effect both exacerbate this risk. The construction sector is expected to account for 19% of global working hours lost to heat stress in 2030,46 despite making up roughly 8% of the global workforce.47Vector-borne diseases Stagnant water pools on construction sites create mosquito breeding grounds, increasing the risk of vector-borne disease.Injury and mortality Extreme weather (high winds and storms, extreme heat) heightens hazards for construction workers, increasing the risk of accidents and fatalities on construction sites.Respiratory illness Construction workers are exposed to air pollution and particulates (urban smog), which increase the risk of respiratory disease. This effect is exacerbated by climate change and extreme heat. Building Economic Resilience to the Health Impacts of Climate Change 23

Building Economic Resilience to the Health Impacts of Climate Change 2025