Allison Le Corre, communications manager for the EU mayor, details how rising temperatures and extreme heat waves deepen social inequality across Europe.
Rising temperatures pose a serious threat to the health and quality of life of Europeans, causing many social justice issues. Heat waves exacerbate existing social inequality across Europe and disproportionately affect group groups of certain people based on factors such as where they live, socioeconomic status, housing status, and current health status. At the forefront of climate risks, local governments play a key role in dealing with heat-related threats.
With summer approaching, Europe will once again adorn braces due to extreme temperatures and the prospect of increasingly extended heat waves. Each year, an average of 48,000 people in Europe lose their lives due to heat-related causes, as outlined in the European Climate Risk Assessment.
Cities are particularly vulnerable to heat waves, according to the latest JRC report on EU cities and extreme heat. This means cities must prepare for an already warmer climate while keeping energy and housing affordable as they work to reduce emissions and combat rising temperatures.
Sustainable cooling: Issues of social justice
The effects of thermal islands are unevenly distributed throughout the city, and low-income regions often suffer the most due to high density, lack of vegetation, poor housing conditions and inadequate cooling systems. According to data from EuroStat, rising electricity costs also threaten poor energy households, with 19% of EU homes unable to stay cool in the summer. Local actions to deal with heat need to balance technological solutions and social equity, recognizing cooling as both a climate and a social issue.
Some cities are actively implementing these measures on housing. In Zaragoza, Spain, the EU-funded Renaissance project addresses the energy inefficiencies of social housing by designing biota and implementing renewable energy, focusing on optimum sunlight exposure, insulation and solar protection. In one neighborhood, measurements such as double orientation, upgraded façades, and insulation reduced total energy consumption by half.
Similarly, the Resilio project in Amsterdam (2018-2022) developed a network of 10,000 m² of blue-green roofs for social housing. These roofs keep the building cool in the summer and warmer in the winter compared to warm roofs.
Several other cities, like Vienna, Austria, have created green oasis to provide a rest from the heat, reduce the effectiveness of the thermal island, and prioritize conversion of vulnerable regions.
These strategies not only help households at all income levels stay cool, but also prevent “maladaptation” by reducing their reliance on air conditioners that release floespore carbon refrigerants that directly contribute to climate change and enhance the thermal island effect.
Beyond Cooling: Strength of Community and Social Bonds
The development of a strong community support system for vulnerable populations is just as important as implementing cooling solutions. Fever worsens existing health conditions and represents a major risk for the elderly, chronic illnesses, pregnant women and those suffering from children.
The city of Christianstad, Sweden, has developed a heat programme that focuses specifically on vulnerable groups, including checklists of education, healthcare and social services institutions, in a mapping of where vulnerable people live. This type of social infrastructure can save many lives when activated.
Comprehensive local heat strategy
Cities can only manage the balance of climate adaptation, energy poverty, mitigation and social justice (the complexity of balanced, sustainable cooling) through integrated policies and action plans. With its “paris under 50 degrees” plans like Paris, Athens with its top thermal managers, and networks of climate shelters, Barcelona cites examples of thorough thermal action plans. Smaller municipalities such as Weiz in Austria and Rethymno in Greece have shown that the town is actively dealing with the fever with plans and targeting measures.
The mayor’s new #CitiesRefresh campaign agreement highlights these local efforts from cities of all sizes and geographical locations, encouraging them to exchange experiences and solutions to deal with the rise in heat. Follow our campaign for more details.
Recommended links
The European Environment Agency report, “Sustainable cooling of buildings in Europe: an investigation into the link between climate change mitigation and adaptation and its social impacts.” cool2rise Project Energy Poverty Advisory Hub
This commentary was compiled in collaboration with Europe’s Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) 2025. See ec.europa.eu/eusew.
Source link
