Sixth Open Training Session on Heat and Health

On February 20, REGILIENCE hosted its sixth online Open Training Session, titled “Heat and Health: Building Resilience for a Hotter Future.” This session gathered experts and stakeholders to discuss the escalating challenges posed by increasing temperatures and heatwaves, and to share innovative solutions for protecting public health and urban infrastructure.

Several key environmental factors impact our body’s ability to regulate temperature, including air temperature and sunlight. The Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT)—a composite index that factors in air temperature, humidity, wind speed, and sunlight—helps assess heat stress. Notably, challenges begin when temperatures exceed 25°C, with each additional 2°C necessitating longer rest periods and reducing mobility. Once temperatures hit 32°C, outdoor activities should be suspended, a threshold that is particularly critical for Mediterranean regions.

Case Studies and Proactive Interventions

Urban and Regional Strategies:

• In Barcelona’s coastal areas, the IMPETUS project has developed a QMRA model to predict the risk of pathogen contamination in seawater resulting from combined sewer overflow (CSO) events. Climate change is expected to intensify heatwaves and heavy rainfall, which can overwhelm sewage systems and lead to such events.

• In Germany, cities are actively implementing heat-health measures:

  • Würzburg has established a dedicated working group to develop 48 specific heat-health interventions.

  • Hannover distributes first aid packages to homeless individuals during heatwaves.

  • Cologne leverages art and music to raise awareness, particularly targeting residents over 65.

  • Freiburg has created interactive city maps that pinpoint cooling areas during extreme heat episodes.

Innovative Urban Planning:

• The ARSINOE project in Athens has set up a long-term risk assessment system for urban planning, integrating and visualizing risk parameters. This system highlights the benefits of interventions such as cool roofs, green roofs, urban trees, tiny forests, and other urban greening initiatives.

National Strategies and Collaborative Efforts:

• France, for example, has been a pioneer in health prevention plans. With the oldest system in the region established in 2023, the plan evolved in 2024 into a fully governmental strategy involving 10 ministries—a milestone that was achieved over 20 years. This success was driven by informal relationships and proactive individuals who united diverse stakeholders.

Sharing Best Practices for a Resilient Future

The session stressed the importance of sharing information on the effectiveness of different measures. Monitoring impacts and learning from the experiences of various cities and projects across Europe is essential. By identifying which interventions work best, stakeholders can exchange best practices and foster a collaborative approach to combating heat-health challenges.

How we address these issues today will shape the world for future generations. The session offered participants actionable insights and underscored that only through continuous dialogue and shared learning can societies build the resilience necessary to face a hotter future.

If you missed the session, recordings and presentation slides are available. You can also explore previous sessions and contribute your ideas for future topics by visiting the REGILIENCE page. This series remains a cornerstone of REGILIENCE’s mission to empower regional actors in building a more resilient future.