WHO urges Europe to strengthen heat protection measures

World Health Organization (WHO) Europe regional director Hans Kluge warned that Europe is warming faster than any other continent and that more than 200,000 people have died from heat-related causes in the last four years. He described heat as a “silent killer” that can be prevented with existing tools.

At a German heat‑action day in Berlin, Kluge presented new protection measures alongside German environment minister Carsten Schneider and health senator Ina Czyborra. The proposals focus on older adults and other vulnerable groups, stress the social dimension of heat exposure, and call for reduced CO₂ emissions, expanded urban trees, parks, rivers, forests and wetlands. WHO also released an updated guide to improve heat‑warning systems and risk communication.

German authorities note that only seven of the 16 federal states have a nationwide heat‑action plan, with another state still developing one, highlighting gaps in preparedness across the country.