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Heatwaves are becoming more frequent and more intense across Europe, with serious consequences for human health — and for schools in particular. We discussed with Aleksandra Kazmierczak, EEA expert in Climate Change and Human Health, what the latest data shows and what cities and governments can do to protect people.
Is climate change already affecting the health of Europeans?
As the climate warms, we are seeing more and more extreme heat events, as well as events linked to more erratic precipitation — both more droughts and more flooding, as rainfall becomes more concentrated. The heatwave that parts of Europe experienced this May is a clear example. Temperatures were 10 degrees or more above normal in some areas, with parts of France and Spain reaching 35 to 40 degrees Celsius. That is something we can expect more of in the future. Heatwaves are, in fact, Europe's deadliest extreme weather event.
The human body does not cope well when exposed to sustained heat. We experience heat stress, fatigue and, in severe cases, heat stroke. For people with pre-existing conditions such heart problems, asthma, diabetes, kidney disease, heat makes those conditions significantly worse.
The May heatwave was associated with fatalities: Spain recorded over 100 heat-related deaths, and in France seven deaths were attributed to the heat, five of them linked to drowning as people sought out cold water to cool down.
Expert in Climate Change and Human Health
Many schools were affected by that heatwave. What do we know about the impact on students?
Many schools in Europe were built for a much cooler climate — buildings here are far better prepared for low temperatures than high ones. In Spain, a study found that only 1% of schools have air conditioning. During May, there were reports of students feeling dizzy or fainting, which caused considerable alarm among parents and prompted discussions at local and national level about what action to take.
A UNICEF report published last year found that in 2024 alone, over 900,000 pupils in Europe had their education disrupted by heatwaves — through school closures, early dismissals, or teachers moving lessons outside because classrooms had become too hot. The impact is both on health and on students' ability to concentrate and learn.
Is this a southern European problem, or are we seeing it spread north?
At the moment, around 5% of schools in Europe — roughly 16,000 — are already experiencing very hot days, defined as days above 30 degrees Celsius outside of summer holidays, and many of those are in the south.
But climate projections show that exposure of schools to heat is creeping northward: by the 2050s, the number could double to over 31,000 schools. I was in Warsaw at the beginning of May when temperatures went from 10 to 28 degrees in two days — and that happened during high school exams. I found myself thinking about those 18-year-olds sitting some of the most important exams of their lives in buildings that were not designed for that kind of heat.
What can be done to reduce the impacts of heatwaves, and who should be acting?
First, we all need to act on preventing further climate change and reducing carbon emissions. There is an analogy that there is no point mopping the floor while the tap is still running: climate mitigation and adaptation have to go together.
On the adaptation side, awareness-raising matters: people should know not to exercise in midday heat, and to check on vulnerable family members or neighbours. Early warning systems can alert populations to incoming hot weather. In cities, spatial planning measures help: more trees, more greenery, more shade. Many cities are also implementing the concept of cool islands — public buildings, shopping centres and offices with air conditioning that are opened to the public during heatwave events, so that people have access to cooling without every household running its own unit.
What about nature-based solutions?
Nature is our best air conditioning. Trees and green areas provide cooling through shade and through evapotranspiration. Green roofs reduce temperatures inside buildings by adding insulation. Green facades reduce heat absorption and limit the re-radiation of heat — helping to tackle the urban heat island effect. Bringing more nature into cities is one of the most effective tools we have.
Are local authorities doing enough?
We are definitely seeing action across many European cities. Our challenge is that we do not receive systematic data on implemented measures, so it is difficult to assess comprehensively. From the examples we see, we know that many cities are adopting nature-based solutions, and a growing number of local authorities are signing up to initiatives such as the Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy.
Many national adaptation policies now also require municipalities to have an adaptation plan in place. There is real momentum towards more intensive adaptation planning at local level — but given the pace of change, that momentum needs to accelerate.
