As Europe counts over 16,000 excess deaths due to this summer’s soaring temperatures, the European Union’s health security committee is calling for a fundamental shift in how governments prepare for heatwaves — moving away from reacting to emergencies towards systematic, long-term planning.
The recent spell of extreme heat has claimed thousands of additional deaths across Europe. With climate change expected to make heatwaves more frequent and more intense, the committee, which coordinates preparedness and responses to serious cross-border health threats, has set out recommendations aimed at strengthening Europe's resilience.
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The message is stark: Europe — the world's fastest-warming continent — is not adequately prepared.
Public health systems in many EU countries remain "insufficiently prepared" to cope with prolonged periods of extreme heat, according to the committee's opinion, adopted on 30 July. It argues that tackling the growing threat requires "a cross-sectoral, whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach", combining short-, medium- and long-term measures.
The health impacts extend well beyond heatstroke. Prolonged periods of high temperatures increase mortality, exacerbate existing medical conditions and place additional strain on healthcare systems. They also affect plant and animal health, with knock-on effects for livelihoods and mental wellbeing.
Extreme heat also raises the risk of wildfires, bringing further consequences for public health through deteriorating air quality, damage to critical infrastructure and environmental degradation.
Older people, children, pregnant women, people with chronic illnesses, outdoor workers and other vulnerable groups are among those most at risk.
The committee is urging member countries to strengthen coordination across government departments and public authorities, ensure Heat-Health Action Plans are regularly updated and developed jointly by public health and civil protection agencies, and improve information sharing through the EU's Early Warning and Response System. It also calls for evidence-based measures to better protect children, workers exposed to high temperatures, and people attending large public events.
The opinion also highlights the need to better equip healthcare professionals through dedicated training to recognise and manage heat-related illnesses, while improving public communication with multilingual advice aimed at tourists and seasonal, cross-border and transport workers. At the same time, it calls for efforts to close persistent data gaps and build a stronger evidence base on the health impacts of heatwaves through the European Climate and Health Observatory.
The recommendations come as the European Commission prepares a European Integrated Framework for Climate Resilience, due before the end of 2026, which is expected to strengthen the bloc's preparedness for climate-related risks, including extreme heat.
