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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
South Sudan
Too hot to handle? Heat resilience in urban South Sudan
South Sudan is at risk from the impact of climate change. This paper reviews the climate change issues faced by South Sudan, and the strategy as outlined to the United Nations.
  • South Sudan Medical Journal
Case study
Hong Kong (China)
Protecting the elderly from heat and cold stress in Hong Kong: Using climate information and client-friendly communication technology
This case study highlights the importance of partnership and stakeholder engagement in improving the delivery and communication of useful weather and climate information to the health sector and promoting public awareness on the care of elderly people.
  • Hong Kong Observatory
Case study
Canada
Supreme: An integrated Heat Health Warning System for Quebec
The SUPREME system provides access to indicators that relate exposure to hazards, socioeconomic characteristics of neighbourhoods, health problems, and follow-up during and after an intervention by field teams.
  • Meteorological Service of Canada
  • Environment and Climate Change Canada
  • Québec - government
Case study
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Knowing when cold winters and warm summers can reduce Ambulatory Care performance in London
This study is the first of its kind in the United Kingdom. Initial findings show that there is a clear relationship between air temperature and emergency ambulance calls.
  • World Health Organization (WHO)
  • World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
Case study
Canada
Iterative development and testing of a Heat Warning and Information System in Alberta, Canada
In 2012, Alberta Health initiated a high-level vulnerability assessment that led to the development of a Heat Warning and Information System (HWIS) involving collaboration between several agencies with expertise outside of public health.
  • World Health Organization (WHO)
  • World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
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