From Bangkok to Buenos Aires, here’s how 12 global cities are tackling extreme heat

This article is brought to you thanks to the collaboration of The European Sting with the World Economic Forum.

Author: Gabi Thesing, Senior Writer, Forum Agenda

• As the world becomes warmer, a new report finds that extreme heat will create productivity losses of $84 billion annually by 2050 across 12 global cities.
• Extreme weather events are ranked as the second-biggest risk facing the world over the next two years, according to the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2023.
• Chief Heat Officers are becoming the norm, and cities are tackling issues like extreme heat with a range of policies and structural changes.

Parts of the world have always been hot. But climate-driven heat that has spilled over into the northern hemisphere, and spawned record-breaking temperatures that impact life and work in cities, has emerged as a serious threat in recent years.

In fact, the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2023 highlights this risk and suggests extreme weather events will be the second-biggest threat facing the world in as short as just two years.

Now a new report, ‘Hot Cities, Chilled Economies: Impacts of Extreme Heat on Global Cities‘, published by the Adrienne Arsht-Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Center, puts the spotlight on the social, economic and health impact of extreme heat on 12 global cities – and outlines some of the policy measures to tackle it.

Record-breaking heatwaves around the world

In July alone, the United States set 350 daily heat records, while Europe grappled with an unprecedented heatwave that claimed 2,700 lives in Spain and Portugal. Europe’s wildfires exacerbated an already dire drought situation. Pakistan’s scorching heat led to catastrophic floods, and soaring temperatures in southern China disrupted entire sectors and rendered cities uninhabitable.

It’s taking a staggering toll on urban centres – particularly those in the global south. By 2050, nearly 970 cities could experience average summer highs of 35C, impacting 1.6 billion urban residents, according to the report.

It also points out that the phenomenon of urban heat islands disproportionately affects marginalized communities, with Native American and Black populations in the US enduring high heat-related mortality rates, underscoring existing inequalities.

As agricultural failures and wildfires prompt an urban migration surge, the US urban population has surged to 83%, projected to reach 11% by 2050, underscoring the urgency of immediate action.

The Adrienne Arsht-Rockefeller Foundation is a World Economic Forum partner on the The Heat Action Platform, where city officials and financial institutions can find guidance on reducing the human and economic cost of extreme heat on their cities, towns and regions.

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What’s the World Economic Forum doing about climate change?

Climate change poses an urgent threat demanding decisive action. Communities around the world are already experiencing increased climate impacts, from droughts to floods to rising seas. The World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report continues to rank these environmental threats at the top of the list.

To limit global temperature rise to well below 2°C and as close as possible to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, it is essential that businesses, policy-makers, and civil society advance comprehensive near- and long-term climate actions in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement on climate change.

The World Economic Forum’s Climate Initiative supports the scaling and acceleration of global climate action through public and private-sector collaboration. The Initiative works across several workstreams to develop and implement inclusive and ambitious solutions.

This includes the Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders, a global network of business leaders from various industries developing cost-effective solutions to transitioning to a low-carbon, climate-resilient economy. CEOs use their position and influence with policy-makers and corporate partners to accelerate the transition and realize the economic benefits of delivering a safer climate.

Contact us to get involved.

Other key findings of the report include:

• Heat impairs labour productivity, causing interruptions, sluggish movement, errors, and compromised decision-making. In an average year, these losses total $44 billion across the 12 cities, and the amount will rise to $84 billion by 2050 without action to reduce emissions.
• Vulnerable low- to middle-income cities in Asia and Africa bear the brunt, with limited access to cooling technologies amplifying losses.
• Heat exacerbates gender disparities, disproportionately affecting women due to sector representation and data gaps.
• Swift and comprehensive climate adaptation and mitigation measures are imperative to shield vulnerable populations and ensure the well-being of residents amid the escalating challenge of climate-driven heat.

How 12 Global Cities are coping with extreme heat

Here’s how extreme heat affects 12 global cities and how they are dealing with it:

Athens, Greece

Athens has upped its heat reduction efforts in an effort to safeguard its population from rising temperatures. In Central Athens, heat-related output losses could double to $230 million in 2050 from almost $100 million now. Construction and manufacturing workers face disproportionate impacts due to limited cooling coverage and labour intensity.

Key actions include worker protections during heatwaves (longer breaks during peak heat hours and mandated air-conditioned rest areas with water provided), communication campaigns for vulnerable individuals, and the appointment of a Chief Heat Officer.

Initiatives involve categorizing heatwaves to prompt swift responses. Renovation of historic fountains and creation of cooling “pocket parks” in the dense urban landscape are underway. Preserving street trees, like the iconic mulberry trees, is crucial to prevent new heat islands.

Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok faces high and rising temperatures. Heat and humidity cut productivity by 5%, costing $8.6 billion annually. Without action, losses may rise to $15.6 billion by 2050, 6% of output.

In the face of these high numbers, local authorities have upped their efforts to stem heat-related economic losses. Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s climate plans offer an opportunity for impactful regulations and investments targeting extreme heat and its impacts. Thailand’s 2016 occupational heat standard uses so-called wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) to manage heat stress, limiting effort beyond specific thresholds. A 2021 study found compliance protects four out of five workers.

The Bangkok Master Plan on Climate Change emphasizes insulation, thermal barrier coatings and greening roofs and walls. Urban greening, tree planting and mangrove reforestation amplify heat-resilient efforts.

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Hot days in Buenos Aires are particularly dangerous in disadvantaged areas where temperatures can be as much as 15C hotter than surrounding rural areas, and current heat occurrence will become twice as common. The city loses $115 million annually in productivity due to heat, expected to triple by 2050.

Buenos Aires aims to expand existing mitigation efforts, prioritizing vulnerable residents against escalating heat. The Buenos Aires Climate Action Plan outlines strategies where private sector resilience will be promoted via a buildings code, mandating solar protection and ventilation in new structures.

Vulnerable communities receive education through programmes like the Adaptation to Extreme Climate Events. National Weather Service heat alerts further inform Argentina.

The city will invest in 20% tree cover increase, biocorridors, green roofs, walls, and vertical gardens. Solar photovoltaic generation for residential rooftops is also going to get a boost.

Dhaka, Bangladesh

Dhaka’s scorching temperatures and humidity pose risks, as temperatures surpass human tolerance for the year’s 10 hottest days.

Dhaka’s labour-intensive economy and low cooling capacity lead to 8% productivity loss now, rising to 10% by 2050 due to extreme heat, the highest in the study.

City officials have long employed adaptations but increasing severity necessitates swift actions:

• Scalable worker protection initiatives like Red Cross/Red Crescent’s forecast-based financing solution offer broad social insurance against extreme heat for vulnerable workers.
• Dhaka’s Million Cool Roofs pilot, using reflective paint, significantly cools schools, industrial buildings and housing. Low-cost adaptations include stilt-based construction for air circulation and “green roofs” of creepers. Street-shading and green-roofed vehicles are also being explored.

Freetown, Sierra Leone

Rising temperatures pose socioeconomic development and adaptation challenges for Freetown.

Freetown faces rising heat-related productivity losses forecast to reach over 6% of output by 2050 from currently 3.5% or $30 million.

A Chief Heat Officer is in charge of adaptation measures such as development plans to improve housing and water availability to enhance heat resilience. Water access combats heat through hydration and evaporative cooling.

The Treetown project employs social media, mobile payments and machine learning for community-driven reforestation, offering cooling and employment, especially for marginalized groups. Cooling shades tackle market overheating by providing sun protection. Freetown’s approach aims to tackle both heat and socioeconomic advancement.

London, United Kingdom

London, unaccustomed to frequent extreme heat, has developed heat awareness measures but requires sustained investments in buildings and infrastructure as extreme heat events become more frequent.

Losses of $730 million in 2020 make up 0.9% of output; that figure is expected to reach $840 million by 2050 without emissions reduction or adaptation.

A 2015 report outlined policy measures to curb residential overheating. Workplace temperature laws offer minimal protection, lacking specific guidance for hot conditions.

The UK Met Office issues heat-health warnings for temperatures exceeding 30C by day and 15C overnight for two consecutive days. “Cool Spaces” provide heat relief locations, while Transport for London’s “Beat the Heat” campaign promotes safety during high temperatures.

Enhancing indoor cooling efficiency and integrating passive cooling in building design mitigates overheating. Tree-planting initiatives combat heat, with over 280,000 trees planted since 2016. Retrofitting transport for heat reduction is ongoing but needs rapid scaling as London’s transport lines modernize.

Los Angeles, USA

Los Angeles, familiar with warmer temperatures, pursues ongoing adaptations to alleviate its impact on the economy and populace, with a focus on vulnerable groups. Heat and humidity cause LA to lose nearly $5 billion yearly; projected to rise to $11 billion by 2050.

California’s Extreme Heat Action Plan and Los Angeles’s Green New Deal enhance existing plans. Green New Deal initiatives include cool pavements, transit shading, and “cool neighbourhoods” for elderly and disabled residents, setting ambitious temperature reduction targets.

The city appointed its first Chief Heat Officer in November 2021, enhancing public awareness and adaptation goals based on the County Climate Vulnerability Assessment.

Los Angeles’s Cool Roof ordinance mandates sunlight-reflecting, energy-efficient roofs since 2014. Further plans include a 50% increase in crucial tree canopy by 2028, aiding heat reduction and energy savings.

Miami, USA

Miami, with average highs exceeding 28C on the 10 hottest days, requires substantial scaling for effective heat mitigation solutions. Miami loses $10 billion in productivity yearly due to heat, exceeding the county’s annual budget. Without action, losses may double to $20 billion by 2050. The world’s first Chief Heat Officer, appointed in May 2021, coordinates the region’s actions.

Proposed Florida legislation, backed by the Chief Heat Officer, advocates 10-minute breaks for outdoor workers above 32C. Legal standards for heat-resilient infrastructure and public spaces will enhance private-sector adaptation.

Million Trees Miami aims for 30% tree canopy, reducing urban heat. Cooling stations, street, housing and park heat mitigation, and innovative materials like cool pavements and solar panel shading are also planned.

Monterrey, Mexico

Monterrey is one of the hottest cities in Mexico. Monterrey suffers $1.8 billion annual labour productivity losses due to heat and humidity, projected to double by 2050. It’s actively pursuing private-sector investments and pilot projects to enhance heat resilience.

With a newly appointed Chief Heat Officer, the city aims to expand existing efforts for urban heat management. Initiatives include awareness campaigns, passive cooling building designs, and nature-based solutions like reforestation.

Lessons from across Mexico, such as Mérida’s citizen-involved reforestation project, offer insights for Monterrey to mitigate economic losses and protect its population from escalating heat challenges.

New Delhi, India

New Delhi faces extreme heat, with average highs surpassing 36.2C on the hottest 10 days. Labour productivity losses cost $3.9 billion in 2020, set to rise to $ 6.1 billion by 2050, or 5% of potential output. Adaptation efforts include adjusted working and schooling hours ending some classes by 11am, and halting outdoor work by noon.

The draft Master Plan for Delhi to 2041 prioritizes heat resilience, including permeable paving, district cooling, green solutions, increased tree cover by 20% and biocorridors. Collaborations include “cool roofs” and sustainable cooling technologies to manage increased AC demand while mitigating energy strain and pollution.

Santiago, Chile

Santiago’s generally mild yet dry climate leaves residents vulnerable to sudden heatwaves. Annual heat- and humidity-linked worker productivity losses surpass $100 million, and this figure is set to double by 2050.

Santiago has introduced a tiered warning system, allowing for potential water rationing. The city’s inaugural Regional Climate Action Plan, featuring an extreme heat chapter, is in design.

Green roof pilot projects, starting at Hospital Dr Exequiel Fernandez Cortes, are underway. Tree canopy expansion, urban heat reduction through shading, and alleviating heat-induced water stress are also slated.

Sydney, Australia

Sydney faces extreme heat, exceeding 45C during the worst heatwaves, with increased frequency predicted. Unabated climate change could make scorching days 60% more frequent by 2050, causing significant productivity losses. Current heat exposure already results in $310 million annual losses, projected to double to over $700 million by 2050 without adaptation.

The Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils offers guidelines for heat-resilient urban planning. The Resilient Sydney 2018 strategy promotes cool roofs, permeable infrastructure, and green designs. While Greening Sydney 2030 proposes green roofs, walls and tree cover investments for heightened heat resilience.