Archetypes of heat risk: An intersectional perspective on relative within-country differences

This study develops a novel mixed-methods approach to identify heat risk archetypes in Austria by combining qualitative insights on intersectional vulnerability with quantitative analysis of socioeconomic and climate data. The approach examines how factors such as age, income, occupation, housing conditions and social participation interact to shape relative heat risk across the population.

The analysis identifies five heat risk archetypes, including people at risk of poverty in urban heat islands, low-income populations in rural areas, blue-collar workers exposed to heat, and older people facing financial or health-related challenges. The study finds that heat risk results from overlapping social and economic inequalities rather than single vulnerability factors alone. Looking ahead to 2080, the research projects substantial increases in heat risk driven by rising temperatures, demographic ageing and increasing inequality. The findings demonstrate the importance of integrating equity and justice considerations into climate adaptation planning and provide a framework that can be applied to other countries and climate hazards.