Summary of Key Points
Europe has recently experienced its third heatwave, with temperatures repeatedly breaking records (June 2026 was the hottest in Western Europe, with the rate of temperature increase being twice that of the global average). The previous heatwave caused over 20,000 excess deaths in Europe, highlighting issues such as buildings' poor heat dissipation and low air conditioning penetration rates (only 7% in Germany). Countries have taken different approaches to responding to the crisis: Spain took proactive fire prevention measures and upgraded school facilities; Germany's states have inconsistent policies and are pushing to include climate adaptation in the constitution; Switzerland used a lake cooling system to reduce temperatures. However, the biggest challenges remain in securing funding and coordinating policies—opposition parties criticize the cost, while ruling parties are reluctant to spend money, leading to slow progress in reforms.
1. How severe was the heatwave? Record-breaking temperatures led to thousands of deaths
This heatwave was no trivial matter: The average temperature in Western Europe in June was more than 3°C higher than the past 30 years' average. Temperatures in Paris were on par with those in Dubai, but while Dubai's buildings are designed to withstand heat, old buildings in Paris acted like heat traps, making the 45°C weather feel even hotter. The most alarming aspect was the excess deaths—the number of people who died compared to the same period in normal years: Germany saw a 30% increase in deaths (5,480 more), France around 2,025, with an estimated total of over 20,000 deaths across Europe. The 2003 heatwave killed 15,000 elderly people in France, and the same scenario is likely to repeat this time, with the elderly and outdoor workers being the most affected. The WHO notes that less than half of European countries have heat-related health plans, leaving them largely unprepared for such events.
2. Why do Europeans struggle so much with the heat? Low air conditioning penetration and poor building design
There are several fundamental reasons why Europeans struggle to cope with the heat:
- Low air conditioning penetration: Only one-fifth of households in Europe have air conditioning, and in Germany, it's even lower at just 7% (compared to 80% in Greece). This is because summers used to be shorter and cooler, making air conditioning less economical. For example, a German woman said, "The heat will pass soon," and Britons once joked that the heatwave would end with the summer itself.
- Inhumane building design: Old buildings in Paris have thick walls and small windows, designed for insulation in winter but becoming hot traps in summer, unlike Dubai's energy-efficient architecture.
- Lack of funding for improvements: Who will pay to upgrade buildings and increase green spaces in cities? Opposition parties in France call for reforms, but the ruling parties are hesitant to invest. Only seven of Germany's 16 states have heat adaptation plans, and there is a lack of coordination between the federal government and states.
3. How are countries responding? Some take proactive measures, while others still argue
European countries are adopting various strategies:
- Spain: After a severe fire last year, they started fire prevention efforts in January, deploying more aircraft and drones. They allocated 200 million euros to equip schools with heating and cooling systems, and Barcelona is using tourism taxes to install air conditioning in schools and providing "heat stress bracelets" for outdoor workers.
- Germany: Berlin introduced its first heat strategy last year (planting trees, adding water fountains), but the 16 states operate independently. The Merkel government wants to include climate adaptation in the constitution to obtain federal funding, but this requires parliamentary approval, which is a lengthy process.
- Switzerland: Switzerland uses a lake cooling system: Geneva's 45-meter-deep lake (always around 7°C) provides regional cooling, costing 900 million Swiss francs ($1.1 billion). Zurich has also invested 300 million in a city cooling project. Although Switzerland previously restricted air conditioning use, it now views it more positively, prioritizing green spaces and regional cooling solutions.
- France: The ruling party has not proposed specific plans due to concerns about costs, while opposition parties are vocal but lack real power to make changes. During the summer vacation in late July, Paris may temporarily forget about air conditioning issues, but the heatwave is already here and cannot be avoided this year.
4. Long-term challenges: Rising temperatures will become the norm, requiring significant infrastructure investments and coordinated policies
Experts predict that Europe's temperature increase is twice the global average, leading to a significant rise in hot days. In Berlin, the number of days with temperatures over 30°C increased from 21 in 2018-2024 to potentially 40 by 2080. This means that infrastructure must be completely transformed:
- Buildings need to be redesigned to dissipate heat (thin walls, large windows, insulation layers).
- Cities need more green spaces, shaded areas, and water supply points.
- Air conditioning penetration rates must increase, but power demand must also be balanced (for example, Switzerland's lake cooling system is more energy-efficient than household air conditioning).
The biggest obstacles are funding and policy coordination. The EU plans to release a climate adaptation plan later this year, but implementing it at the national level requires investment and cooperation. Issues like Germany's constitutional reform and Switzerland's cooling systems require long-term commitment and unified action. Currently, Europe is fragmented, with opposition and ruling parties blaming each other, and the pace of reforms lags behind the speed of climate change.
Conclusion: Heatwaves in Europe are not isolated incidents but a consequence of climate change. The question is no longer whether to act, but who will pay for the changes and how to implement them. If discussions continue, the situation will only worsen. For ordinary people, installing air conditioning may be the best option, but it represents a significant financial burden for many families. Climate issues can only be resolved through substantial government investment and coordinated efforts.