Tatabánya, Hungary, addressing the impacts of urban heat waves and forest fires with alert measures

To reduce heatwave and wildfire impact, Tatabánya uses a proactive heat and UV alert system, along with improved fire brigade capabilities, and educational activities targeting vulnerable groups. Community engagement and communication play a pivotal role in the success of these measures.

The City of Tatabánya has a Local Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan, approved in 2008, which have been implemented to address diverse climate hazards, which mainly impact people’s health (e.g. heatwaves and heat stress, UV radiation, forest fires).

The Strategy and the Plan are based upon a comprehensive approach taking into consideration both climate change mitigation and adaptation, incorporating climate considerations into decision-making, and including adaptation concerns in municipal processes. In order to face climate impacts related to heatwaves and forest fires, three specific measures have been implemented: (1) a local heat- and UV-alert system; (2) the Smart Sun Educational Programme; and (3) measures aiming at improving the capacity of the fire brigade.