Global warming brings more frequent and stronger heat waves. In many parts of Central and Southeastern Europe, the number of heatwave days increased by 10-15 days per decade in the period 1981-2010. This trend will continue and intensify. Tropical nights in which the temperature does not fall below 20 °C will also increase. More hot days and more frequent and longer heat waves increase the risk to human health. Fever-related illnesses and deaths are on the rise. While many people suffer from heat stress, certain groups of people are particularly vulnerable. These include the elderly, people who require care and those who live in isolation, pregnant women, infants and young children, the homeless, people who live in communal accommodation and people who work outdoors. Due to economic and social discrimination, these people may be more exposed to heat waves. Cities in Central Europe need to adapt, but many lack strategies and action plans to protect their residents from the heat. The Ready4Heat project supports cities in implementing proven short-, medium- and long-term measures focusing on the problem: sudden heat waves. The special emphasis of the project is on measures that can be effective immediately in case of heat. The project also gives cities access to tried and tested measures such as heat warning systems and helps them to adopt them quickly.
The project includes 4 pilot cities, Hajdúböszörmény (Hungary), Maribor (Slovenia), Weiz (Austria) and Worms (Germany), and their expert partners trained in climate change and health issues.
The consortium consists of:
Lead partner:
- Development Agency Sinergija (Slovenia)
Project partners:
- Center for Health and Development Murska Sobota (Slovenia)
- Municipality of Maribor (Slovenia)
- Climate-Bündnis der europäischen Städte mit indigenous Völkern der Regenwälder /Alainza del Clima e. V. (Germany)
- Stadtverwaltung Worms- Umweltschutz und Landwirtschaft Klimaschutz und Anpassung an den Klimawande (Germany)
- Klimabündnis Steiermark (Austria)
- Stadtgemeinde Weiz (Austria)
- Reflex KörnyezetvedoEgyesület (Hungary)
- Hajdúböszörmény Varos Önkormanyzata (Hungary)
You can find more information about the project on the website: https://www.interreg-central.eu/projects/ready4heat/
PROJECT MATERIAL:
CE0100067 Ready4Heat D.1.1.1 Strategy and action plan concept
CE0100067 Ready4Heat D.1.2.1 – Analise of the areas
CE0100067 Ready4Heat D.1.2.2 – stakeholder network report
CE0100067 Ready4Heat D.2.1.1 Set the quantitative and qualitative KPIs