Spanish architect tackling summer energy poverty named as finalist in 2025 European Sustainable Energy Awards

Spanish architect and associate professor Carmen Sánchez-Guevara has combined research with architectural practice to bring the critical issues of extreme heat and summer energy poverty to the forefront of the European political agenda.

Carmen has become a leading figure in the study of summer energy poverty, the inability of often vulnerable households to escape extreme heat, unable to afford air conditioning and living in older buildings ill-adapted to high temperatures. Women, frequently spending more time at home, are disproportionately affected.

'For over 15 years as a researcher, along different projects and private and public contracts,' she says, 'I have focused on the issues related to heat that we face in the Mediterranean region – how climate change will affect populations living in these areas, how it will impact the most vulnerable, and how we must ensure that no one is left behind.'

'Projections indicate an increase in the frequency and duration of heat waves, which we know will lead to rising morbidity and mortality rates,' she warns.

Carmen, who leads a Master’s programme in Environment and Bioclimatic Architecture at the Technical University of Madrid, has directed multiple projects at both European and local levels, seeking to transfer academic knowledge to society by combining architecture, thermodynamics, and environmental health.

One of these projects, COOLTORISE, improved living conditions for over 8,000 people across five countries, pioneering strategies to mitigate extreme heat for vulnerable populations. Actions included ‘heat culture workshops’, which draw on traditional knowledge to reduce heat exposure, as well as working with communities to improve outdoor spaces by adding shade, vegetation, and water features.

'In Spain, we worked specifically in Barcelona and Madrid, and the response from households was very positive. They reported feeling more capable of coping with extreme heat and more empowered to understand and manage their energy bills effectively,' Carmen explains.

She has also developed reports for national administrations, shaping policies on energy vulnerability, and has been appointed as an expert for the Energy Poverty Advisory Hub (EPAH), an initiative by the European Commission to eradicate energy poverty.

The work on her projects is fully transferable to other European countries, aiming 'to develop methodologies that are adaptable and scalable across a similar Mediterranean context' and beyond, as she warns that 'rising temperatures will affect all of Europe, including northern countries that have never had a heat culture'.

It is a process Carmen is keen to emphasise in the university curriculum. 

'We need to create professionals who are prepared to address the real problems we face. It is crucial we train architects to design and rethink cities and buildings adapted to climate change.'

And, facing what is ultimately a public health crisis, 'the presence of women is more necessary than ever to bring different perspectives, a new focus, and, most importantly, to offer relevant and more diverse solutions,' she insists.

EUSEW Awards ​celebrate Europe’s best clean energy projects and leaders 

Carmen Sánchez-Guevara is one of three finalists shortlisted for the European Sustainable Energy Awards 2025 in the Woman in Energy category. The award recognises women who lead outstanding activities that, if replicated, help to advance the clean energy transition in Europe. Particular attention is placed on efforts to drive the gender mainstreaming agenda and support equality and equal opportunities in the energy sector. The other finalists are Sophie Loots from Belgium, and Stella Tsani from Greece.

Sophie Loots is a champion of grassroots energy cooperatives in Flanders. Stella Tsani is an academic working at the intersection of economics, sustainability and policy.

The European Sustainable Energy Awards ​(EUSEW Awards) recognise outstanding individuals and projects for their innovation and efforts in energy efficiency and renewables. The nine finalists have been selected by a high-level jury in three categories: Innovation, Local Energy Action, and Woman in Energy. The finalists will be submitted to an online public vote, which is open until 1 June, and the winners will be announced during the EUSEW Awards Ceremony on 10 June 2025. ​ 

EUSEW 2025 

European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW), the​ biggest annual event dedicated to renewables and efficient energy use in Europe, takes place on 10-12 June under the theme of ‘Powering a fair and competitive green transition’. The event will bring together public authorities, industry, NGOs and consumers to promote initiatives accelerating decarbonisation through clean technologies and solutions towards a competitive, fair and just transition both for people and businesses.

Registrations for onsite attendance in Brussels and online participation are  now open.  

For interview requests with the EUSEW Awards finalists or additional media information, please contact ​ mediaeusew [dot] eu