The energy sector is undergoing a profound shift toward lower-carbon and renewable sources, but this transition brings potential health risks for workforces and communities. To emphasize the need to integrate health considerations into every aspect of the energy transition to ensure a just transition that leaves no one behind, the International Association of Oil and Gas Producers (IOGP) and Ipieca, the oil and gas association for advancing environmental and social performance across the energy transition, have published a position paper, Health in the Energy Transition, to guide companies in proactively managing health risks and maximizing opportunities for positive health outcomes during this period of change.
To succeed in the energy transition, it is critical to understand the interplay of climate, energy, and health. The publication offers insights into the ways in which those three areas intersect and the potential effects of that intersection. The publication aims to point out specific occupational and public health risks linked to energy transition technologies such as wind, solar, carbon capture and storage, hydrogen, and biofuels.
Also included are implementable strategies for factoring health into project planning, risk assessment, and stakeholder engagement. The publication gives special attention to protecting the health and safety of workers involved in the construction, manufacturing, and operation of new energy facilities.
The publication also addresses potential health effects on communities affected by energy transition projects, such as those concerning water, sanitation, and disease transmission.