The European Heat Adaptation Community launched on this year's Heat Action Day, 2 June 2025. It aims to bring together professionals working on heat adaptation across municipalities, regions, public health services, research institutions and other relevant sectors. The goal is to share experiences and knowledge related to all aspects of heat adaptation.
Why this community?
Heat stress is currently one of the most dangerous and deadly impacts of climate change in Europe. Yet, despite its urgency, heat adaptation remains one of the least developed areas within climate adaptation. It is time to change this. The European Heat Adaptation Community seeks to foster constructive action across key sectors critical to reducing heat-related risks: Health, Housing, Habitat.
Aim and objectives
- To enhance and exchange knowledge and experiences on heat-related risks, research, and programmes.
- To strengthen collaboration among participants, leading to improved regional, national, and European policies, programmes, and measures for heat adaptation.
- By April 2026, participants will have a comprehensive overview of heat-related research and programmes across Europe and will have explored opportunities for collaboration through European heat adaptation initiatives or other relevant platforms.
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Experience from the Dutch CoP on Heat stress
This European initiative is inspired by the Dutch Community of Practice (CoP) on Heat stress for local governments, established by Klimaatverbond Nederland (the Dutch Climate Alliance) in 2022. The Dutch CoP is informal, with no binding commitments for the participants, allowing them to join as per their capacity and priorities. Its structure is light, with monthly online exchanges and occasional webinars with guest experts. Yet the regular interaction has fostered a strong community of almost 50 municipalities and provinces. The CoP is well-connected to national ministries, social housing corporations, regional public health services, knowledge institutions and researchers working across the domains of Health, Housing, and Habitat.
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Activities
Building on the Dutch experience the European Heat Adaptation Community will offer the following activities in an informal setting:
1. Monthly online meetings
Held on the first Wednesday of each month from 15.30-16.30 CET, starting on 2 July 2025.
Each session includes:
- Sharing of participants’ work and updates on heat-related initiatives
- Open discussion on issues raised by participants
- Presentations by guest speakers
2. Monthly Agenda and Resources
Prior to each session, participants will receive an agenda, along with links to relevant documents, events and funding opportunities.
3. Session Summaries
Minutes from each session will be shared, including useful links and key takeaways.
4. Webinars
Open webinars with guest experts on specific heat adaptation topics
5. Open and Free Participation
Participation is free of charge and without obligation.
Madeleen Helmer will facilitate and moderate the European Heat Adaptation community. She was the founder of the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre in 2002 and head of the heat adaptation programme of Klimaatverbond Nederland since 2014. As of 2 June 2025, she will work as advisor heat adaptation for Klimaatverbond Nederland with focus on European collaboration.
Join us!
Are you a professional involved in heat adaptation - working in local or regional governments, public health services, knowledge and research institutions, or related fields - who is interested in exchanging experiences and insights? Join our European Heat Adaptation Community by writing an email to Madeleen Helmer: madeleen.helmer@klimaatverbond.nl.
This initiative is endorsed by Pathway2Resilience (P2R), a programme supporting the EU mission on adaptation to climate change.