European heatwave exposes critical gaps in climate adaptation and sustainability

European heatwave exposes critical gaps in climate adaptation and sustainability | Photo: Yechan Park

In June 2025, Europe endured an unprecedented heatwave, with Spain recording its hottest June on record, France closing schools, and Italy imposing outdoor work bans. This extreme weather event, driven by climate change, exposed significant gaps in Europe’s adaptation measures, underscoring the urgent need to align with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

As temperatures soared past 46°C in parts of Spain and triggered widespread health alerts, the crisis revealed a stark reality: while mitigation efforts to curb emissions are critical, inadequate focus on adaptation leaves vulnerable populations at risk. Addressing these gaps is essential to ensure resilient infrastructure, equitable resource distribution, and a sustainable future for global society.

The escalating reality of climate-driven heatwaves

The June 2025 heatwave was not an isolated incident but part of a broader trend of intensifying extreme weather events. According to the European Environment Agency (EEA), Europe is warming at twice the global average, with southern regions like Spain, Italy, and Greece facing temperatures exceeding 40°C earlier in the year than ever before. Spain’s meteorological agency, AEMET, reported a record-breaking 46°C in El Granado, while Portugal logged a June high of 46.6°C.

These temperatures, exacerbated by a heat dome and a marine heatwave in the Mediterranean, have strained urban infrastructure, healthcare systems, and economies. The Lancet Public Health estimates that heat-related deaths in Europe could triple to 129,000 annually by 2100 if warming reaches 3°C above pre-industrial levels. Between 1980 and 2023, heatwaves accounted for 95% of weather-related fatalities in Europe, with economic losses from climate extremes reaching €738 billion over the same period.

This heatwave exposed critical adaptation gaps. In France, 1,350 schools closed due to inadequate ventilation and overheating, while Italy’s power outages in cities like Florence highlighted strained energy grids. Southern and eastern European nations, often less affluent, face systemic challenges in implementing heat-resilient infrastructure, such as green roofs or cooling centres. These disparities exacerbate vulnerabilities, particularly for the elderly, low-income households, and outdoor workers, who are disproportionately affected by extreme heat. The EEA notes that only 30% of climate-related economic losses in Europe are insured, widening the protection gap for poorer communities.

Why adaptation funding and policies lag

Despite the clear need for robust adaptation, funding and policy prioritisation remain inadequate. The European Commission’s EU Adaptation Strategy, launched in 2021, aims to make Europe climate-resilient by 2050, yet implementation is uneven. The Horizon Europe Work Programme 2025 allocates €113.65 million to support regional climate resilience, but this is a fraction of the investment needed to address escalating risks.

The EEA’s 2023 report on national adaptation actions highlights limited capacity for systemic risk assessments and challenges in translating climate data into actionable policies. Countries like Germany and the Netherlands have adopted standardised climate risk assessments (e.g., ISO 14091), but southern and eastern nations often lack the resources to follow suit.

Systemic inequities further complicate progress. Wealthier nations in northern and western Europe have greater access to funding and technology for adaptation measures, such as urban green spaces or flood-resistant infrastructure. In contrast, southern nations like Spain and Greece, despite facing more intense climate impacts, struggle with underfunded public sectors and outdated infrastructure.

This divide aligns with SDG 10’s call to reduce inequalities, as low-income communities and regions bear the brunt of climate impacts without adequate support. For instance, while Lisbon plants 240,000 trees under the LIFE LUNGS project to combat urban heat, many smaller municipalities in southern Europe lack similar initiatives due to budget constraints.

Initiatives bridging the gap

Despite these challenges, innovative adaptation efforts offer hope. The LIFE Green Heart project in Toulouse, France, is expanding green spaces to lower urban temperatures by 3°C during heatwaves. In Poland, the LIFE Archiclima project is retrofitting large buildings, such as Katowice’s airport, with green roofs to enhance heat resilience. These nature-based solutions align with SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by reducing urban heat island effects and improving livability. In Spain, Malaga’s Red Cross has established air-conditioned “climate refuges” to protect vulnerable residents, a model that could be scaled across southern Europe.

Past efforts provide valuable lessons. The 2022 heatwave in Spain, which caused over 4,600 deaths, prompted the expansion of cooling centres in cities like Seville. However, the uneven distribution of such measures highlights the need for equitable funding models. Future projections suggest a tenfold increase in extreme heat days by 2100, necessitating urgent investment in sustainable cooling technologies and resilient infrastructure across all regions.

The position of global society in climate resilience

Achieving climate resilience requires global collaboration, as no nation can tackle climate change alone. The SDGs, particularly SDG 13 and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), emphasise the importance of international cooperation.

The EU’s leadership in funding adaptation projects, such as the €3 billion Trees Pledge, sets a precedent for global efforts to enhance urban resilience. Knowledge-sharing platforms like Climate-ADAPT facilitate cross-border learning, enabling countries to adopt best practices in heat-health action plans and sustainable urban planning. The World Health Organization’s forthcoming 2025 guidance on heat-health action plans will further harmonise regional efforts.

Global society must prioritise equitable funding to address disparities in adaptation capacity. Initiatives like the UN’s Financing for Development Conference, held in Seville during the 2025 heatwave, underscore the need for international financial mechanisms to support vulnerable regions. Collaborative efforts can bridge the gap between affluent and less affluent nations, ensuring that adaptation measures reach those most in need.

The June 2025 European heatwave serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to bolster climate adaptation to achieve global sustainability goals. While mitigation remains critical, adaptation measures, such as urban cooling systems, resilient agriculture, and equitable funding, are equally vital to protect vulnerable populations.

The EU’s innovative projects and global partnerships offer a path forward, but systemic inequities and underfunding must be addressed to ensure inclusive resilience. Continued efforts to align with the SDGs will shape a sustainable future for all.