With the sun finally coming out, I read an article this week discussing proposals for maximum workplace temperature limits. This raises a conversation about how seriously climate resilience should be treated around the UK. As an air quality consultant, I have seen first hand how offices manage temperature variance within their workplace.
From an industry perspective, the article reflects many of the concerns building managers have been sharing during our audits. Thermal comfort is now becoming just as important as ventilation and indoor air quality. The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 require employers to maintain a “reasonable” workplace temperature, alongside adequate fresh air, with the Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) linked to the Workplace Regulations, suggesting minimum temperatures of 16°C for sedentary work and 13°C for physical work. However, unlike some European countries the UK has no legally defined maximum workplace temperature. No meaningful upper limit can be imposed because in many workplaces high temperatures are not seasonal but created by the work equipment or activities themselves; take glass blowing for example.
However, the article does create a degree of public scepticism. The article suggests that climate adaptation measures, including workplace overheating, should become one of the government’s “highest priorities” even during periods of ongoing international conflict and economic pressure. While climate resilience is undoubtedly important, statements positioning it above issues such as war, national security, or cost-of-living concerns may cause some readers to question the balance and realism of the messaging. For many people this reduces the trust in the wider argument, even when the core concerns surrounding the main issue of climate change are real.
As a consultant I believe the focus should remain practical and evidence based. The reality is that hotter summers are already affecting building performance, employee wellbeing and productivity. Across office environments there is growing demand for thermal comfort assessments, ventilation improvements, and smarter cooling strategies. Rather than framing climate adaptation against other national priorities, there may be greater value in presenting it as part of a wider long-term strategy to protect public health, workplace safety and infrastructure resilience.