A Framework for Understanding Climate–Labor Interactions

Abstract

This paper develops a theoretical framework to explain the interactions between climate change and labor systems, building on previous research focused on the primary sector. While existing studies have examined the economic and environmental impacts of climate change, there is still a lack of theoretical integration explaining how these effects translate into labor dynamics. The aim of this study is to construct a conceptual model that systematizes the mechanisms linking climate variables with labor outcomes. The framework is based on an interdisciplinary literature review, incorporating perspectives from labor economics, environmental economics, and social vulnerability theory. The analysis identifies three key channels of interaction: direct effects (such as productivity loss due to climate conditions), indirect effects (including migration and sectoral shifts), and mediated effects shaped by institutional and socio-economic factors. Additionally, the framework incorporates feedback loops, highlighting that labor systems not only respond to climate change but also influence environmental outcomes through production structures and adaptation strategies. The findings suggest that climate–labor interactions are dynamic, non-linear, and context-dependent. This theoretical contribution provides a structured foundation for future empirical research and strengthens the analytical coherence of models examining labor dynamics under climate stress. UDC: 331.101.6:551.583; JEL: Q54, J21, J24, J81