Add us as your preferred source on Google to see more of our content in Search.
Add to Preferred SourcesCountries around the world are rolling out heat action plans and early warning systems one year after the UN Secretary-General called for global action against extreme heat, with new examples showing what works to protect billions of people from rising temperatures, according to United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) announcement.
A new analysis by UNDRR, World Meteorological Organization (WMO), and the Global Heat Health Information Network looked at case studies from 12 countries that are testing and scaling heat resilience strategies. The report finds promising progress in areas like city-level planning, nature-based solutions, and public-private partnerships, but warns major gaps remain in reaching vulnerable communities.
The UN Call to Action issued in July 2024 tasked ten agencies to work with governments on coordinated responses to extreme heat through practical measures like heat-resilient buildings, social protections, and climate-aware urban planning. Global temperatures keep rising, exposing billions to potentially deadly conditions, but countries are finding ways to adapt and protect their populations from the worst impacts.
India has cut heat-related deaths through city-level planning, early warning systems, and insurance for informal workers. The UK uses a dual-layer alert system that combines health sector warnings with public messaging to improve coordination during heat waves. Argentina is expanding urban green spaces and putting reflective roof technology in disadvantaged neighborhoods, while South Korea sends personalized heat warnings through mobile networks and partners with companies like LG and Hyundai on cooling stations.
Many countries still lack heat thresholds to trigger targeted alerts or health responses. Coordination between different government levels often breaks down, and long-term funding for heat resilience projects remains limited. Marginalized groups including older adults, informal workers, and rural populations face the highest exposure with the least protection.
“We can’t waste a moment in making sure that everyone, everywhere, is protected from the impacts of intensifying extreme heat,” said UN Special Representative Kamal Kishore.
The challenge now is turning pilot programs into policy and scaling good practices before the next heat wave hits.