Climate refuge networks proposed and implemented in Spain and Mexico

Local authorities and political groups in Spain and Mexico are implementing or proposing climate refuge networks to protect citizens from extreme heat.

In Getafe, Spain, the Más Madrid Compromiso headquarters is joining the Climate Refuge Network promoted by the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO). The facility will open to residents from May to September, excluding August, offering a space with shade and reading activities to mitigate heat risks. This initiative is part of a broader state pact to provide safe, accessible spaces across the country.

In Mexico City, the Green Party (PVEM) has proposed the creation of a similar network of climate refuges through the Mexico City Congress. Legislator Paulina Pérez Córdova emphasized the need to protect vulnerable populations, including the elderly, children, and outdoor workers, from rising temperatures. The proposal suggests that these refuges should provide shade, ventilation, potable water, and basic first aid. While some temporary shelters already exist in various boroughs, the proposal seeks a more organized and formal network to respond to extreme heat alerts.