Sustainable cooling in a warming climate: an urgent social question for our cities

Rising temperatures pose a serious threat to Europeans’ health and quality of life, while also raising many social justice issues. Heat waves disproportionately affect particular groups of people based on factors such as where they live, socio-economic status, the conditions of their dwellings, and current health conditions, exacerbating existing social inequalities across Europe. On the frontline of facing climate risks, local governments play a key role in addressing heat-related threats. 

With summer approaching, Europe braces once again for the prospect of extreme temperatures and increasingly frequent, prolonged heat waves. Every year, an average of 48,000 people in Europe lose their lives due to heat-related causes – a number expected to rise as Europe warms at roughly twice the global average, as outlined in the European Climate Risk Assessment.   

Cities are particularly vulnerable to heat waves, where the heat-island effect can raise temperatures by 10 to 15 degrees compared to nearby rural areas, according to the JRC’s latest report on EU cities and extreme heat. This means that, as cities work to reduce emissions and combat rising temperatures, they must also prepare for an already warmer climate, all the while keeping energy and housing affordable.   

Sustainable cooling: a social justice issue 

The heat-island effect is unevenly distributed across cities, with low-income neighbourhoods often suffering the most due to high density, lack of vegetation, poor housing conditions, and inadequate cooling systems. Rising electricity costs also threaten energy-poor households, with 19% of EU homes unable to stay cool in summer, according to Eurostat data. Local actions to address heat must balance technological solutions with social equity, recognising cooling as both a climate and social issue. 

Some cities are proactively implementing these measures in housing. In Zaragoza, Spain, the EU-funded Renaissance project tackled energy inefficiencies in social housing by implementing bioclimatic design and renewable energy, focusing on optimal sun exposure, insulation, and solar protection. In one neighbourhood, measures like double orientation, upgraded facades, and improved insulation reduced the total energy consumption by half. 

Similarly, Amsterdam’s RESILIO project (2018-2022) developed a 10,000 m² network of blue-green rooftops on social housing. These roofs kept buildings cooler in summer and warmer in winter compared to those without them. 

Some other cities, like Vienna, Austria, have created green oases to provide respite from heat and reduce the heat-island effect, prioritising the transformation of vulnerable neighbourhoods.  

These strategies not only help households across all income levels stay cool but also prevent 'maladaptation' by reducing reliance on air conditioners, which release hydrofluorocarbon refrigerants that directly contribute to climate change and intensify the heat-island effect. 

Beyond cooling: the strength of communities and social bonds 

Developing strong community support systems for vulnerable populations is as important as implementing cooling solutions. Heat exacerbates pre-existing health conditions, representing a greater danger to the elderly, people suffering from chronic illness, pregnant women, and children. 

The Swedish city of Kristianstad has developed a heat plan specifically focused on vulnerable groups, including checklists for education, healthcare, and social services institutions to ensure preparedness and response to heat waves, with a mapping of where vulnerable people live. This type of social infrastructure, when activated, can save many lives.  

Comprehensive local heat strategies 

Cities can only manage the complexity of sustainable cooling – balancing climate adaptation, energy poverty, mitigation, and social justice – through integrated policies and action plans. Major cities like Paris with its ‘Paris Under 50 Degrees’ plan, Athens with its Chief Heat Officer, and Barcelona with its network of climate shelters, have set examples of thorough heat action plans. Smaller municipalities, like Weiz in Austria and Rethymno in Greece, show that towns are also proactively addressing rising heat with plans and targeted measures. 

The Covenant of Mayors’ new #CitiesRefresh campaign highlights these local efforts, from cities of all sizes and geographical locations, encouraging them to exchange experiences and solutions to better cope with rising heat. Follow the campaign to find out more. 

Recommended links: 

1. European Environment Agency’s Report, 'Cooling buildings sustainably in Europe: exploring the links between climate change mitigation and adaptation, and their social impacts.'
2. Cool2Rise Project
3. Energy Poverty Advisory Hub

About the author 

Allison Le Corre is the communication manager for the EU Covenant of Mayors initiative and a storyteller for cities’ climate transitions. For the Covenant of Mayors, she runs campaigns aimed at connecting European policy and local action in the fields of energy and climate, such as energy saving, heat decarbonisation, climate adaptation, and more.  

The EU Covenant of Mayors is the largest European movement of local authorities working to secure a better future for their citizens by committing to EU climate and energy objectives. 

Disclaimer: This article is a contribution from a partner. All rights reserved.

Neither the European Commission nor any person acting on behalf of the Commission is responsible for the use that might be made of the information in the article. The opinions expressed are those of the author(s) only and should not be considered as representative of the European Commission’s official position.