HEATSAFE directly tackles the need to adapt against climate change adverse effects in the whole Mediterranean area. The intensity of heatwaves is amplified in urban areas by factors such as the configuration of the city, the lack of vegetation or the materials of urbanized surfaces, so the strategy to mitigate their effects must be designed specifically for each territory. Sociodemographic conditions must also be considered, as significant correlation between exposure to extreme heat and socioeconomic vulnerability has been shown, leading to nearly double the mortality risk in some deprived districts. This local complex planning cannot be addressed without a clear methodology. In this sense, HEATSAFE will address the most suitable ways to adapt these territories to these effects by developing key activities in Spain, Italy. Albania, Bulgaria and Greece, and with the aim of replicating project approach in the whole Mediterranean area. HEATSAFE will improve the prevention, mitigation and management of risks arising from increased frequency and intensity of extreme heat and heatwaves in the Mediterranean basin through the co-development of local action plans and the implementation of demonstrative pilot actions; complemented by a long-term strategy and opensource tools to establish heat vulnerability maps across the MED area.
33 months from 01/04/2025 to 31/12/2027
General aims
The project contributes to the Programme priority specific objective RSO2.4: Promoting climate change adaptation and disaster risk prevention, resilience, taking into account eco-system based approaches. The project overall objective is to improve the prevention, mitigation and management of risks arising from climate change and the increased frequency and intensity of extreme heat and heatwaves in the Mediterranean through the co-design of local action plans and the implementation of demonstrative pilot actions, which will set the base for the development of open-source tools to assess heat vulnerability and of a long-term strategy that will establish the path for the whole MED area.
CMCC role
Project partner
Activities
In the project, CMCC researchers will be responsible for the review of existing approaches and policy frameworks for heatwaves management (A1.1) and will work, in collaboration with University of Athens and local partners, for the design of heat vulnerability maps based on geo-physical data in the local study sites, the selection of indicators for vulnerability both from a physical (exposure) and a socioeconomic (sensitivity, extended exposure) (A1.2). It will also contribute to the definition of suitable mitigation measures (A1.4).
CMCC will furthermore contribute to the translation of findings from these mapping exercises and formulate policy advice for local partners for the design of heatwaves management plans and measures to be implemented beyond the project scope in the whole Mediterranean area. It will guide the activities for the creation of replicable procedures and the dissemination of these guidelines topolicy makers (A3.4).
Finally, it will lead the capacity buildings activities of the project, for Mediterranean stakeholders (local, regional, national) involved in heatwave alert events (A4.3).
Expected results
– Decision-making tool for policymakers to evaluate and prioritize heatwaves measures based on impact, feasibility, and cost-effectiveness.
– Governance structures for effective heatwaves management, including stakeholder mapping and engagement strategies, benefiting six Mediterranean regions.
– Local Action Plans in six pilot partners and five EU countries for heatwaves preparedness, response, communication, and recovery, aiding local authorities and communities.
– Testing activities in six Mediterranean areas will implement and evaluate solutions, resulting in a protocol for best practices to mitigate heatwaves which will benefit not only project partners, but the whole MED area through transferring and replication activities.
– An improved heatwaves planning and management strategy for the Mediterranean basin so the project approach can be adopted by other areas.
Partners
Federation of Municipalities of the Region of Murcia, EuroVértice Consultants, Barcelona Metropolitan Area, Municipality of Agii Anargiri – Kamatero, Association of South-Western Municipalities, Regional Council Durres, Municipality of Arezzo, National Kapodistrian
University of Athens, Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change Foundation,