Umweltbundesamt

Home > EuroHEAT - Improving public health responses to weather extremes, in particular to heat-waves

EuroHEAT - Improving public health responses to weather extremes, in particular to heat-waves

09.08.2021

Hintergrund und Ziele

The background to the project are European and international decisions that call for a reduction in weather and climate related health burdens. In addition, the aim is to achieve greater coordination and cooperation between players in public healthcare, national and international meteorological offices and agencies, emergency services and civil society. This can be achieved by developing local, regional, national and European measures to speed up sharing of relevant information, data and findings, and allow early warning systems to be developed.

The objectives are:

  1. Epidemiological assessment of the health effects of heat waves between 1990 and 2003,
  2. Identification of synergies between air pollution, risk determinants and systems for rapid identification of health effects,
  3. Development of a climate information tool with measures for heat protection in buildings,
  4. Assessment of the response capacity of the health system, and
  5. Carrying out health promotion activities, particularly for the older population.

Laufzeit

Untersuchungsregion/-raum

Land
  • europaweit

Schritte im Prozess zur Anpassung an den Klimawandel

Schritt 1: Klimawandel verstehen und beschreiben

Ansatz und Ergebnisse 

Based on climate projections from the 3rd IPCC situation report (2001). In particular, the changed probabilities of heat waves are analysed.

Parameter (Klimasignale)
  • Hitzewellen
  • Höhere mittlere Temperaturen
Weitere Parameter 

Increasing weather and climate variability, alongside changes in the frequency and intensity of extreme temperatures

Schritt 2a: Risiken erkennen und bewerten (Klimafolgen/-wirkungen)

Analyseansatz 

The focus is on analysis of the climate effects of heat waves on human health and the healthcare system.

Describe here, which approach for the vulnerability analysis, risks and/or chances is/was used within your project and which results emerged from it or are expected

Ansatz und Risiken / Chancen 

On the one hand, particularly vulnerable population groups are analysed and on the other hand the adaptation and response capacity of the healthcare system. Vulnerability is defined in an IPCC sense, determined by the factors exposure, sensitivity and adaptation capacity.

Schritt 3: Maßnahmen entwickeln und vergleichen

Maßnahmen und/oder Strategien 

Response plans for heat waves defining the spans and procedures for how those responsible in healthcare can response to extremely hot days. In the project, selected examples of these response plans are complied:

  •  United Kingdom heat wave plan (2007),
  •  Spanish action plan for health protection in heat waves,
  •  Catalonian (Spain) action plan for prevention of health effects due to heat waves (May 2006),
  •  Portuguese heat response plan,
  •  Swiss heat and ozone warning system,
  •  Italian plan describing the compilation and evaluation of information on the assessment of local interactions between heat effects and mortality or morbidity, and providing guidelines for mobilisation of care activities during periods of extreme heat,
  •  French plan describing national and regional actions to prepare for heat waves and setting out the composition of a crisis command centre for managing intervention during heat emergencies.

The objective is to set up and establish warning systems for periods of extreme heat to protect the population. To achieve this, a map of heat wave probabilities is produced for European countries. This shows the probabilities of heat waves, allowing an estimate to be made as to whether a heat event is imminent. The probabilities of heat waves shown on the map are average probabilities for a region, and there may be significant local differences due to significant differences in altitude within a region or on the coast. This heat information is not intended to replace national heat warning systems, but to supplement it with regional heat forecasts.

Zeithorizont
  • 2071–2100 (ferne Zukunft)

Schritt 4: Maßnahmen planen und umsetzen

Rechtliche Aspekte 

 

Wer war oder ist beteiligt?

Förderung / Finanzierung 

European Commission

Projektleitung 

World Health Organization, Regional Office for Europe, Global change and health programme

Beteiligte/Partner 

Partnerinstitution in Germany: German Meteorological Service (DWD)

Ansprechpartner

WHO - World Health Organization
European Centre for Environment and Health,
Rome Division
Via Francesco Crispi 10
I-00187 Rom

Links

  • EuroHEAT - Summary for Policy–Makers

Zugehöriges Projekt

  • cCASHh - Climate Change and Adaptation Strategies for Human Health in Europe
Artikel:

Handlungsfelder:
 human health and care Top

„Für Mensch und Umwelt“ ist der Leitspruch des ⁠UBA⁠ und bringt auf den Punkt, wofür wir da sind. In diesem Video geben wir Einblick in unsere Arbeit. 

Umweltbundesamt

Kontakt

Wörlitzer Platz 1
06844 Dessau-Roßlau
Bitte richten Sie Ihre Anfragen ausschließlich über das Kontaktformular "UBA fragen" an uns.
Infolge der großen Anzahl von Anfragen kann es bei der Beantwortung zu Verzögerungen kommen. Wir bitten um Verständnis.

Quelladresse (zuletzt bearbeitet am 20.12.2022):https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/node/16256