Takeaway one: Coordinated efforts should take place at all levels of governance, from local to global action  

Addressing the escalating risks posed by extreme heat requires a shift towards comprehensive, inclusive mitigation and adaptation strategies. It is not enough to focus solely on isolated interventions. Instead, there needs to be a systematic integration of extreme heat considerations into national and local policy frameworks. This includes drafting action plans that bring together perspectives from a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including decision-makers and implementers, such as governmental agencies, international financial institutions, private sector actors, civil society, and vulnerable communities- to foster a unified and coordinated response. This should be achieved while ensuring that these stakeholders are not only consulted but actively involved in the process is critical to shaping effective, context-specific solutions.  

Given the complexity of extreme heat response, strategies must encompass a mix of short-term relief measures and long-term resilience planning, leveraging both innovative technologies and traditional knowledge systems. By aligning these efforts with ongoing projects, it is possible to embed heat resilience with national strategies, thereby avoiding the creation of redundant structures and siloed programs. Clear ownership structures and responsibility over resource allocation need to be outlined for successful implementation. Therefore, collaborative efforts across sectors and governance levels are imperative to bridge gaps in financing, capacity, and implementation, thereby promoting heat resilience efforts. 

Takeaway two: Heat adaptation requires access to sustainable cooling solutions 

Projections show that global energy demand for cooling is expected to triple by 2050. As the global demand for cooling is rapidly increasing, the UN Secretary General’s Call to Action on Extreme Heat emphasizes a crucial shift towards sustainable cooling solutions, proposing a “triple strategy” to enhance resilience against rising temperatures. This strategy focuses on leveraging passive cooling solutions, improving energy efficiency of cooling systems and buildings as well as reducing the use of climate-warming gases in cooling equipment. By embracing this integrated approach, nations can not only mitigate the effects of extreme heat but also move towards more equitable societies, ensuring that vulnerable communities have access to essential cooling infrastructure and that global greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goals are met.  

The proposed strategy should be more pronounced in international efforts and policy developments to combat extreme heat. For example, the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol lays out a framework to phase down the production and consumption of hydrofluorocarbons, potent greenhouse gases that contributes to global warming. Agreements like the Kigali Amendment showcase an important example of how international treaties can evolve to address emerging global priorities. At a local level, incorporating energy-efficient cooling solutions into urban planning is essential. Moreover, it is crucial to consider clean energy sources for cooling equipment to avoid indirect GHG emissions. 

Takeaway three: Financial support should come as a result of private and public efforts 

According to the International Labour Organization, heat stress is estimated to cause $2.4 trillion a year in losses worldwide. The Secretary General’s Call to Action on Extreme Heat galvanized an unexpecting momentum, which is also visible in various assistance programs and funding schemes focused on urban heat and cooling solutions. Private and public sector actors as well as global financial institutions need to work hand in hand on developing innovative financing approaches, for example through concessional financing to attract multi-sectoral investment towards extreme heat and cooling solutions. Screening tools are essential to assess which actions are both effective and financially viable, ensuring that resources are allocated efficiently. On a regional and national level, financing needs to be available to facilitate public infrastructure projects related to cooling and support low- or moderate-income households in purchasing sustainable and energy-efficient air condition units. 

There is also a pressing need for collaboration between public sector organizations and financial institutions to support long term investment in heat resilience. This includes advancing insurance solutions to protect workers who are disproportionately affected by heat stress, such as construction and agricultural workers. Additionally, integrating financial tools that align with social and environmental objectives can unlock new opportunities, as many public investments, though beneficial, often face obstacles in securing funding. Expanding the scope of concessional financing and incentivizing private sector engagement is critical for creating sustainable and scalable heat adaptation projects. 

“Addressing the challenges posed by extreme heat requires a coordinated effort that spans across multiple sectors, including the engagement of policymakers, the private sector, and financial institutions. It is crucial that we prioritize gathering targeted data to provide decision-makers with the evidence they need, promote cross-country knowledge sharing and develop actionable strategies on urban planning as well as urban heating and cooling. This is why institutions like the World Bank emphasize data-driven, practical approaches that focus on sustainable and resilient cooling solutions.” 

Adeel Abbas Syed, World Bank 

Takeaway four: Successful strategies require effective capturing and sharing of knowledge 

While there has been significant progress in research and innovation to expand extreme heat resilience, a gap remains in the availability of evaluation data to inform the efficacy and replicability of solutions. A critical aspect of tackling the challenges of extreme heat lies in navigating and capturing knowledge for long-term strategies. Strategies must be grounded in evidence, drawing on both local and global experiences. Effective adaptation and mitigation require mechanisms for continuous data collection and real-time knowledge sharing to inform decision-making processes. There is a need for accessible and scalable solutions that can be applied in various geographies, ensuring that successful pilot projects are not confined to specific regions but are replicated and adapted elsewhere. Therefore, evidence is needed to monitor and evaluate policies and interventions.  

The emphasis on developing adaptive tools, such as databases and models that can forecast the impacts of heatwaves, is key to improving urban planning and governmental response. As extreme heat continues to pose new challenges, especially in sectors heavily impacted by climate-related risks, such as the public healthcare sector, adaptation and mitigation strategies must be flexible, evidence-based and supported by robust knowledge-sharing frameworks. Local leaders, for example healthcare practitioners, counselors, early-educators and community-based leaders are crucial for knowledge sharing.  

Takeaway five: Mitigation and adaptation efforts need to support the most vulnerable communities 

Globally, around 750 million people lack access to electricity, which poses a significant barrier to meeting the rising demand for cooling and heating. As climate change intensifies, ensuring equitable access to cooling is becoming critical for the energy transition planning. This is especially urgent in regions experiencing rapid urbanization, where extreme heat events are becoming more frequent. The current focus on energy transition efforts offers a unique opportunity to incorporate adaptation measures into national and urban planning. Moreover, strategies for combatting extreme heat effects need to consider the needs of particularly at risk of heat stress effects. The roundtable participants specifically mentioned poorer neighborhoods, (pregnant) women, workers performing their tasks outside, among other vulnerable groups.  

As global temperatures continue to rise, the need for urgent action to address extreme heat effects is more critical than ever. The “Collaboration to Combat Extreme Heat: Heat Resilience Roundtable” emphasized the importance of cross-sectoral and inclusive strategies for heat mitigation and adaptation, in the spirit of the Secretary General’s Call to Action. Moving forward, collaboration across governments, industries, financial organizations and civil society will be vital to achieving long-term success. Together, we can build an equitable and sustainable future based on resilient communities.  

“The UN Secretary General has used the ‘megaphone’ of his office to call the world’s attention to extreme heat. But as demonstrated by the stakeholders convened by the Atlantic Council’s Climate Resilience Center and Guidehouse, extreme heat requires a cross-sector collaboration of industry leaders, communities, and policy makers, sharing information and aligning efforts around active and passive cooling. New and encouraging initiatives focused on preparing for a hotter future are emerging, but we must invest both quickly and continuously to save lives.” 

Eleni Myrivili, United Nations Human Settlements Programme’s Chief Heat Officer