As extreme temps grips Europe, Czech cities lag behind in beating the heat

As Europe braces for yet another week of intense heat, experts warn that Czech cities are ill-prepared to protect their residents from the dangers of extreme heat, falling behind counterparts in Southern Europe that have taken more proactive measures.

According to researcher Katarína Svitková of the Institute for European Policy, cities like Barcelona have implemented effective heat wave response plans, including over 200 designated “climate shelters” in public buildings that provide air conditioning, drinking water, and information services.

In contrast, the Czech Republic lacks such comprehensive action plans and often scrambles to respond to heat waves at the last minute.

“Being prepared for tropical days is important for protecting the population, especially the elderly and small children, for whom these summer days are the most demanding,” Svitková told Czech news agency ČTK.

The need for preparedness is critical, as heat waves have become more frequent and deadly across Europe in recent years. In 2022, an estimated 60,000 heat-related deaths occurred on the continent, with the highest tolls in Spain, Italy, and Greece.

Even in the Czech Republic, Svitková said scientists are already recording over 20,000 emergency service calls annually related to heat, with more than a tenth of those originating in Prague.

“The basic solution is adaptation, i.e., work with greenery and water. Although we notice a shift in this area, the city often gives way to other priorities,” Svitková said, adding that Czech municipalities need to take cues from cities like Barcelona that have proactively mapped vulnerabilities and implemented pre-planned response measures.

Barcelona’s comprehensive data-driven approach, which includes cataloging building types, green space availability, and movement patterns, has allowed the city to activate its “summer heat plan” as early as May in anticipation of record-breaking temperatures.

“Beyond current forecasts and warnings, we urgently need action plans for cities and municipalities,” Svitková said. “But for this, first of all, timely and systematic data collection on the vulnerability of cities is needed, which has been carried out by Barcelona, for example.”

Europe is the fastest-warming continent, with heat waves increasing three times faster than the global average, according to the World Weather Attribution Organization. The last three years were among the warmest recorded, and the continent experienced a record number of days with extreme heat. Additionally, temperature records have been broken for 13 consecutive months, as of June 2024.

In June, temperature records were broken in over half of Czechia’s weather stations, with the capital registering among the hottest nights ever. Temperatures in some Czech regions are set to reach over 31 degrees Celsius on Monday.