Kenneth Glad
Public agencies across the continent are being encouraged to strengthen protection measures as temperatures continue to rise. Officials say practical interventions can prevent many of the deaths linked to increasingly frequent heatwaves.
Europe’s health authorities are facing renewed pressure to adapt to a warmer climate after the World Health Organization reported that more than 200,000 people have died from heat-related causes across the EU and associated countries during the past four years.
The warning accompanied the launch of updated WHO guidance designed to help governments, cities and health systems respond to extreme temperatures. The recommendations were presented in Berlin following a period of unusually hot weather across parts of Europe.
Dr Hans Henri Kluge, WHO’s regional director for Europe, said the scale of the problem is growing as climate change pushes temperatures higher across the continent.
“Europe is warming faster than any other continent, and we are paying for it in lives,” Kluge said, according to Health Policy Watch.
Cities are being urged to adapt
Rather than treating heatwaves as isolated weather emergencies, the new guidance encourages authorities to build long-term protection into urban planning and public services.
WHO is calling for measures such as expanding tree cover, creating cooling centres, increasing shaded public spaces and using materials that absorb less heat.
The organization also supports the so-called “sponge city” approach, which uses permeable surfaces and green infrastructure to retain water and help reduce urban temperatures.
These recommendations are aimed at addressing the urban heat island effect, a phenomenon in which densely developed areas become significantly hotter than surrounding regions because roads, buildings and other surfaces retain heat.
Berlin health senator Ina Czyborra warned that large, heavily built-up cities face particular challenges during periods of extreme heat.
Older people remain especially vulnerable
The updated guidance places strong emphasis on protecting people who face the highest risks during heatwaves.
Older adults are particularly vulnerable because the body’s ability to regulate temperature can decline with age, while chronic medical conditions and certain medications may increase sensitivity to heat. People living alone, those with existing health problems and economically disadvantaged communities also face elevated risks.
WHO recommends that local authorities identify vulnerable residents in advance and connect those records to heat-warning systems. During extreme heat events, that could trigger welfare checks, outreach visits or direct assistance for people who may need help staying safe.
The guidance also calls for public information campaigns tailored to different communities, including people who may have limited access to digital alerts or official communications.
Employers and hospitals face new expectations
Workplace protections are another major component of the recommendations. Digi24 writes that proposed measures include flexible scheduling, additional breaks and reducing outdoor work during the hottest hours of the day.
Health services are also being encouraged to prepare for increased demand during heatwaves. The guidance highlights the importance of maintaining cooling systems, safeguarding temperature-sensitive medicines and ensuring sufficient staffing levels when temperatures spike.
German Environment Minister Carsten Schneider said, according to Health Policy Watch:
“Nature can help us combat the heat if we let it.”
Funding remains a significant challenge. Governments across Europe are balancing climate adaptation needs against competing budget pressures, including rising defence spending and other economic demands.
European Commissioner for Climate Action, Wopke Hoekstra, wrote in the foreword to the guidance, as cited by Health Policy Watch:
“The evidence is clear: Investing in emission reductions is far cheaper than paying for climate damage.”
For WHO, the objective remains straightforward. Officials argue that most heat-related fatalities can be prevented if governments act early, improve preparedness and ensure support reaches those most at risk before temperatures become dangerous.
Sources: Health Policy Watch, World Health Organization, Digi24
