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While emergency services respond to immediate extreme heat dangers, EU-funded research is helping communities prepare for the long-term effects of a changing climate.

Through Horizon Europe and the EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change, researchers are developing new forecasting systems, health tools and nature-based solutions designed to make cities and communities more resilient.

One of the most important areas of research is improving the ability to predict extreme weather before it becomes dangerous.

The HealthRiskADAPT project is helping cities and regions understand where heat poses the greatest health risks. It maps temperatures at a local level and links heat exposure with illnesses and mortality, allowing authorities to improve warnings and emergency planning.

In Bulgaria, the MountResilience project has developed a platform that combines observations with artificial intelligence to provide early warnings of floods, wildfires, and other extreme weather. Thermal cameras can detect rising heat before smoke becomes visible, giving emergency teams more time to respond.

The AURORA project is taking a similar approach in Finland. Researchers are creating detailed maps of urban heat and combining them with information about exposure and vulnerability to identify neighbourhoods most at risk from heatstroke.

Research is also helping local authorities develop climate adaptation plans tailored to their communities for extreme heat.

Projects including Impetus4Change and MULTICLIMACT are testing measures in cities such as Barcelona, Paris and Prague. Their work includes reducing heat stress, improving urban planning and supporting policies that make homes more resilient to rising temperatures.

The NEVERMORE project is helping regional authorities assess climate risks and develop adaptation strategies. In Murcia, researchers are examining drought and water scarcity, while work in Sitia is focused on the combined effects of heat and drought.

Protecting critical infrastructure is another priority. The MIRACA project is examining how transport networks in Spain can remain safe and operational when faced with heatwaves, drought and wildfires.

Nature-based solutions are another important part of Europe’s adaptation efforts.

Trees4Adapt is examining how restoring forests after wildfires in Portugal can improve their ability to withstand future heat and fires. Other projects, including DRYAD, MED-IREN and DesirMED, are testing measures such as reforestation and soil restoration to retain moisture, regulate temperatures and reduce the combined risks of drought and wildfires.

Extreme heat is increasingly recognised as a major public health risk. EU-funded projects are therefore developing measures to protect vulnerable groups and strengthen healthcare systems.

ISMED-CLIM is testing heat-warning systems, personalised advice and emergency healthcare plans. Its work includes helping outdoor workers in Greece and Spain reduce heat exposure, while measures in Cyprus and Italy aim to protect pregnant women from excessive heat.

In the mountainous Tirol region, MOUNTADAPT is using data and artificial intelligence to examine how heatwaves could affect cardiovascular, respiratory and mental health. The findings will help local health services prepare for increasingly frequent periods of extreme heat.

The EU has also invested a further €30 million in projects focused on helping cities adapt to extreme heat and protect public health. New initiatives, including CLIMACARE, EUROASIS and PROTECT, will explore practical ways to cool urban areas and help municipalities implement effective measures.