Europe records more than 200000 heat-related deaths since 2022, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), underscoring the growing health risks posed by rising temperatures across the continent. The warning accompanies a new set of WHO guidelines designed to help governments, cities, employers, and healthcare systems better prepare for increasingly frequent and intense heatwaves. The announcement comes as Europe continues to experience unusually hot weather, with climate experts warning that the continent is warming faster than any other region in the world.

WHO Regional Director for Europe, Dr. Hans Henri Kluge, said the rising death toll reflects the real-world consequences of climate change, stressing that Europe is “paying for it in lives.”

Heat Is Becoming One of Europe’s Deadliest Climate Threats

Extreme heat can place significant strain on the human body, increasing the risk of heat exhaustion, heatstroke, dehydration, cardiovascular complications, and respiratory illnesses. Health authorities warn that many of these deaths are preventable with stronger preparedness measures and better public awareness.

Heat Crisis at a Glance

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WHO Calls for Long-Term Urban Adaptation

Rather than treating heatwaves as temporary emergencies, WHO is encouraging governments to make heat resilience a permanent part of urban planning.

Key recommendations include:

• Expanding urban tree cover and green spaces to provide natural cooling and reduce temperatures in densely populated neighborhoods.
• Creating dedicated cooling centers where residents can find relief during periods of extreme heat, particularly those without access to air conditioning.
• Increasing shaded public areas such as parks, bus stops, pedestrian routes, and community gathering spaces.
• Using construction materials that absorb less heat helps reduce temperatures on roads, pavements, and buildings.
• Implementing “sponge city” designs that use green infrastructure and permeable surfaces to retain water and lower urban temperatures.

These measures are intended to combat the urban heat island effect, where cities become significantly hotter than surrounding areas due to dense construction and heat-absorbing surfaces.

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Protecting Those Most at Risk

The updated guidance places strong emphasis on safeguarding vulnerable populations. Older adults face elevated risks because the body’s ability to regulate temperature often declines with age. People with chronic health conditions, those living alone, and economically disadvantaged communities are also more vulnerable during heatwaves.

WHO recommends that local authorities identify at-risk residents in advance and connect them to heat-warning systems. This could allow welfare checks, outreach visits, and emergency assistance to be activated when temperatures become dangerous.

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Employers and Healthcare Systems Must Prepare

The guidance also calls for stronger workplace protections and healthcare preparedness.

Recommended actions include:

• Adjusting work schedules to reduce outdoor activity during the hottest hours of the day.
• Providing additional rest breaks, hydration opportunities, and shaded recovery areas for workers exposed to extreme temperatures.
• Ensuring hospitals and healthcare facilities maintain reliable cooling systems and adequate staffing levels during heat emergencies.
• Protecting temperature-sensitive medicines and preparing for surges in heat-related illnesses.

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Early Action Can Save Lives

The fact that Europe records more than 200000 heat-related deaths in just four years has intensified calls for greater investment in climate adaptation. European Commissioner for Climate Action Wopke Hoekstra emphasized that preventing climate damage is far less costly than responding to its consequences later.

For WHO, the message is clear: most heat-related deaths can be avoided if governments act early, strengthen preparedness measures, and ensure support reaches vulnerable populations before temperatures reach dangerous levels.

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