German cities receive poor heat‑protection ratings

A 2026 assessment by the Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH) examined 17 Bavarian cities with more than 50,000 residents and found that none earned a positive “green” overall rating for heat protection. Most received yellow or red scores, with seven cities—including Neu‑Ulm, Fürth, Nürnberg, Rosenheim, Aschaffenburg, Bamberg and Schweinfurt—rated red for lacking sufficient shade, high surface sealing, or high heat‑impact indices. The study highlighted that Munich performed best in shading and surface‑sealing metrics, while Passau achieved the highest heat‑impact score in Bavaria. DUH called for increased de‑sealing and expanded green spaces to mitigate rising heat‑wave risks.

Separately, a “Hitze‑Aktionstag” on 11 June 2026 promoted practical measures for the public to stay cool. Recommendations included drinking at least two litres of mineral or healing water daily, eating light, water‑rich foods, seeking shaded or green areas, using fans and cool showers, adjusting outdoor activities to cooler morning or evening hours, and watching for symptoms such as headaches or dizziness, especially among the elderly, children and the ill.