Europe is heating up twice as fast as the world: how heat is killing thousands of people

Pan-European Commission calls for action in response to the health crisis

The Pan-European Commission on Climate and Health has expressed its concern over the escalating health crisis in Europe and Central Asia. It is stated that Europe is the fastest warming region, with temperatures rising twice as fast as the global average. Even though 2024 was the hottest year on record, 2025 is on track to break this record.

According to Julie Berkmans, an expert from the European Environment Agency, the rise in temperatures significantly impacts people's health, with heat-related mortality increasing by over 30% in the last two decades. It is noted that in the summer of 2022, around 60-70 thousand people died due to heat in Europe, and in 2023, this figure was 47 thousand. This could increase significantly in the coming years.

Recommendations from the Pan-European Commission

Professionals recommend implementing a range of measures to counteract the negative effects of extreme heat. In particular, the importance of developing and implementing heat and health action plans was emphasized by the Pan-European Commission, noting that currently only one-third of member countries have such plans.

• Engage communities in joint actions, such as checking on neighbors and creating urban gardens to cool the air.
• Improve urban planning by increasing green spaces to offset heating from concrete and asphalt.
• Implement urgent measures, such as creating public 'cooling centers', ensuring access to drinking water, and strengthening informational campaigns for the population.

It is noted that medical professionals play a key role in educating patients about preventive measures and identifying diseases related to climate change. The WHO is expected to release new action plan recommendations in spring 2026.

The Pan-European Commission calls for immediate action to protect the population from the negative impacts of extreme heat due to rising temperatures in Europe and the threat of increasing heat-related mortality. The Commission emphasizes the importance of developing and implementing action plans to address these issues and taking necessary measures to reduce the impact of heat on public health.