Climate change necessitates adaptation of European buildings and schools

As Europe experiences warming at approximately twice the global average rate, the need to adapt buildings to a changing climate is becoming critical. According to the World Health Organization, many existing structures, including schools, hospitals, and government offices, were designed for climate conditions that no longer exist.

In Europe, approximately 16,600 schools currently experience at least one day per year with temperatures exceeding 30°C. Projections suggest this number could double to 34,200 by 2050. Heatwaves in 2024 already disrupted education for over 900,000 students, leading to school closures and shortened class times. Experts suggest that effective adaptation should focus on limiting heat gain before relying on air conditioning.

Effective energy modernization requires a thorough assessment of a building's specific needs—such as insulation, windows, and ventilation—rather than simply installing new technologies like heat pumps or solar panels without addressing underlying heat loss or thermal issues.