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Extreme heat case studies

This page presents case studies of extreme heat events and responses from different regions and contexts.

The examples illustrate how heat risks have been experienced, managed, and addressed around the world. They highlight impacts and showcase valuable lessons learned. Together, they provide practical insights to inform preparedness, planning, and risk reduction efforts for future heat events.

In 2022 alone, Portugal lost over 2,000 lives to extreme heat. In response, Amadora, a UNDRR Making Cities Resilient Resilience Hub, has taken bold steps to protect its people.
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Case study
United States of America
Collaborative action in Massachusetts to counter extreme heat
Promising examples of progress are emerging from the Boston metropolitan area that show the power of partnership between researchers, government officials, practitioners, and community-based organizations.
  • Federation of American Scientists
Case study
Mexico
Heatwaves and the 2024 general elections in Mexico
The case study includes prescriptive lessons learned that may be useful for Mexico’s electoral stakeholders, as well as for those in other countries in the context of organising electoral processes that may face natural hazads.
  • International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA)
Case study
Switzerland
Swiss innovation is helping cities beat the heat, one microclimate at a time
Switzerland is offering a new tool that can help urban planners better understand and respond to this growing threat.
  • Geneva Institute of Technology, Architecture and Landscape - Haute école du paysage, d'ingénierie et d'architecture de Genève (HEPIA)
Case study
Netherlands, the
National Heatwave Plan to reduce heat-health risks in the Netherlands
The Netherlands has developed a netherlands heatwave health plan to systematically reduce heat-related health risks through coordinated governance and public warnings.
  • Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health
Case study
United States of America
Country heat policy review: United States of America
The United States has adopted comprehensive governance structures to address extreme heat, involving federal, state, local, and Tribal initiatives.
  • United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR)
  • World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
  • Global Heat Health Information Network (GHHIN)
  • Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions
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