As temperatures rise, This increases the pressure on households, utilities, and businesses, Especially in the hottest cities in SpainExtreme heat drives up the use of air conditioning, strains energy bills, and multiplies the risks for those who work outdoors or in poorly conditioned spaces, while administrations and scientists warn that this scenario is here to stay.
Europe faces increasingly deadly heat waves
Recent analyses of extreme weather disasters show that Europe has become one of the world's hotspots in terms of mortality from heat wavesA study published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, based on nearly 2.000 extreme events between 1988 and 2024, reveals that extreme temperature events on the continent, especially heat waves, are becoming increasingly deadly.
While in the 1980s and 1990s weather-related deaths were concentrated mainly in episodes of intense cold, In recent years, more than 90% of lethal temperature events in Europe have occurred in spring and summer.The impact of extreme heat has skyrocketed, overshadowing cold waves, which tend to be less damaging thanks to improved insulation and heating systems.
This seasonal shift is not explained by major demographic changes. The European population has barely grown compared to other regions And the groups vulnerable to cold and heat are essentially the same (the elderly, the chronically ill, or those with fewer resources). Researchers thus point to climate change as the most compelling cause: global warming It is making dangerous heat waves more frequent, longer lasting, and more intense than in the past.
In contrast, the study itself notes that Asia has significantly reduced deaths from floods and storms Thanks to better adaptation, Africa and the Americas show more mixed dynamics. Europe, on the other hand, stands out for its increasing vulnerability to heat, despite its high level of development.
Spain, Aragon and the Iberian Peninsula on the front line of extreme heat
Within the European context, The Iberian Peninsula is identified as one of the regions most exposed to the increase in heat waves.Its geographical location, the influence of the Mediterranean and the trend towards increasingly dry and prolonged summers multiply the intensity of temperature peaks.
Aragon is a clear example of this new pattern. Summers have become longer, warmer, and particularly dry.to the point that episodes that were once considered exceptional are now occurring more frequently. In 2025, the region experienced two heat waves during the summer season, placing it among the hotter summers of the Aragonese historical series.
The data State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) for that summer they show Extreme values ​​at almost half of the stations in the region, with highs above 40°CThe highest temperature was recorded in HÃjar, at 44ºC, just half a degree below the absolute record for Aragon, held by the city of Zaragoza since 2015.
The list of locations with extraordinary records is long. The Plana del Pilón station, in Caspe, reached 43,7 ºCMeanwhile, the Valdespartera neighborhood of Zaragoza reached 42,7°C. The city's airport, located further from the urban center, recorded slightly lower but still high temperatures. The other provincial capitals followed a similar pattern: Huesca reached 41,6°C and Teruel nearly reached 39°C.
Furthermore, Places like Quinto, Valmadrid or Barbastro exceeded 42ºCStations like Alcañiz, Calatayud, and Calanda recorded temperatures above 41°C. Only a few areas in the north, such as Sos del Rey Católico, narrowly avoided exceeding 40°C. According to the regional assessment, approximately a third of the summer—33 days—experienced heat waves, making 2025 the third hottest summer on record in Aragon.
Impact of heat waves on occupational health and risk prevention
Beyond thermometers, Extreme heat is redefining what we understand by safety and health at workThe International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that excessive heat contributes to nearly 19.000 work-related deaths annually worldwide and is behind some 22,87 million injuries each year, a figure that illustrates the magnitude of the problem.
In the European Union, the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) points out that At least one third of the working population reports being exposed to climate risksThese include heat waves, extreme weather events, and poor air quality. Furthermore, 31% of European workers express concern about the potential health and safety consequences of these risks.
The so-called thermal stress has become one of the most visible effects. When the combination of temperature and humidity exceeds certain thresholds, the body loses effectiveness in regulating its internal temperature.This can lead to dehydration, exhaustion, heatstroke, and even death, especially in physically demanding jobs or environments without adequate ventilation. See tips on how to deal with it.
The increase in temperature also has less obvious but equally relevant effects. Heat reduces the ability to concentrate, increases fatigue, and raises the risk of errors and accidents.All of this impacts productivity, increases sick leave, and raises costs for healthcare systems, especially during the most intense episodes.
In the long term, those who regularly work in extreme heat conditions may develop chronic problems related to the cardiovascular, respiratory, or renal systemsHeat ceases to be a passing discomfort and becomes a structural risk factor, with cumulative and often invisible health implications until the damage is already done.
From seasonal heat to structural heat: how prevention is changing
Occupational risk prevention experts emphasize that Heat no longer behaves as a strictly seasonal phenomenonIt arrives earlier, lasts longer than summer, and reaches intensities that force a rethink of almost all current safety protocols. What could previously be addressed with specific measures, such as temporary hydration guidelines or clothing recommendations, is beginning to require profound changes in work organization.
In many sectors, Water availability, air quality, and weather irregularities all influence task planning. in a way that would have been difficult to imagine just a few decades ago. This affects workers in agriculture, construction, and transportation, as well as urban professionals who work in environments with insufficient climate control.
The increasing frequency of heat waves and extreme weather events forces us to Review schedules, rest times, access to shade, and ventilation or air conditioning systemsThe criteria for acceptable physical workload are also being reconsidered, and above all, the actual ability to stop a task when safety thresholds are exceeded, without this implying hidden penalties for workers.
At the same time, Episodes of extreme heat are often accompanied by other dangers.as the forest firesViolent storms or mobility problems. This adds an extra layer to prevention: it is not enough to protect the worker at their workplace; evacuations, business interruptions, temporary teleworking, or changes in supply chains must also be considered to reduce exposure.
In this new context, prevention ceases to be a discipline focused on reacting to known risks and becomes a tool for anticipationIntegrating plausible climate scenarios into emergency plans, rehearsing decisions such as halting production or reorganizing shifts, and clearly defining who assumes each responsibility become key pieces to reducing vulnerability to heat waves.
Increasing physical, organizational, and psychosocial risks
Climate change affects several levels simultaneously. On a physical level, Companies are forced to adapt spaces, workloads, and ventilation and cooling systems to minimize the impact of extreme heat. This includes everything from adjusting schedules to the coolest hours to redesigning rest areas, improving building insulation, and installing shading systems.
At the organizational level, Heat waves test decision-making and operational continuity protocolsCompanies must assess when it is reasonable to limit travel, suspend outdoor tasks, or resort to teleworking, and how to coordinate with suppliers and administrations to maintain activity without putting the workforce at risk.
Psychosocial risks are also increasing. Working continuously in intense heat, with uncertainty about the duration of the heat wave and a growing perception of dangerThis can increase stress, feelings of lack of control, and emotional exhaustion. Clear communication and transparency in decision-making help reduce this additional burden.
In parallel, Specific training in climate risks becomes essentialKnowing the symptoms of heatstroke, knowing when and how to hydrate, or understanding what measures are activated when an official weather alert is issued are elements that can make the difference between a minor incident and a tragedy.
For some experts, this change of scenario also opens a window of opportunity: Companies that are committed to the ecological transition, emissions reduction and energy efficiency They tend to create healthier and more resilient work environments, less exposed to the harshest impacts of heat waves.
Adaptation underway: BIOSCOOL and other measures against heat waves
In the area of ​​adaptation, Spain and Portugal have begun to implement specific projects to to cope with heat waves in key infrastructure, such as educational centers, including the climate shelters in SpainOne of the most recent examples is BIOSCOOL, a cross-border initiative supported by the Interreg VI-A Spain-Portugal program (POCTEP) 2021-2027 and co-financed with ERDF funds.
The objective of the project is Improving thermal comfort and energy efficiency in schools and institutes in Extremadura and Portugal through innovative bioclimatic solutions. Planned measures include passive design strategies, natural ventilation and free cooling systems, the use of nature-based solutions—such as green spaces and vegetation for shade—and the incorporation of advanced materials, including phase-change materials (PCMs) that help stabilize indoor temperatures.
These actions stem from the detailed monitoring of buildings and the thermal perception of educational communitiesIt's not just about installing technology, but about understanding how students, teachers, and staff experience the heat in order to design responses that truly reduce discomfort and risk during heat waves.
BIOSCOOL is integrated into the future Provincial Climate Change Adaptation Plan of the province of Badajoz (2026-2035), where It fits into the strategic line dedicated to safe infrastructure, urban planning and risk managementThe Badajoz Provincial Council is participating as a beneficiary entity with a budget of more than 370.000 euros, largely co-financed by the ERDF, thus reinforcing its commitment to technical and strategic support to municipalities in the face of extreme temperatures.
The project consortium brings together technology centers, regional and local administrations, and business associations from both sides of the border. This Spanish-Portuguese cooperation illustrates the need for coordinated responses to a phenomenon—heat waves—that knows no administrative borders. and that affects the entire southwest of Europe in a similar way.
Institutional strengthening in Spain to anticipate extreme events
Adapting to heat waves is not limited to buildings or work organization. In Spain, The Government has approved an extraordinary loan of 40 million euros to reinforce staff at the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) and the River Basin Authorities, aware that meteorological and water management services are critical in a context of extreme weather.
The measure, framed within a royal decree-law on responding to damage from adverse weather phenomena, aims to improve the country's capacity to anticipate and manage events such as heat waves, severe droughts, or torrential rainsThe reinforcement of personnel is aimed both at the precise prediction of extreme events and at the protection of hydraulic and coastal infrastructure.
The Official State Gazette emphasizes that Spain is already experiencing a clear intensification of extreme weather eventsNot only are we seeing longer and more intense heat waves, but also periods of very heavy rainfall and prolonged droughts. These changes, closely linked to human-caused global warming, are testing the capacity of civil protection systems and demanding additional resources.
The Iberian Peninsula is among the most vulnerable areas on the continent, therefore to have a strengthened AEMET (Spanish State Meteorological Agency) and river basin authorities with more human resources It is considered a necessary step to improve early warnings, optimize water management and reduce damage associated with heat waves and other extreme events.
These institutional initiatives complement other adaptation and mitigation policies, such as emergency plans for high temperatures in major cities, the development of heat vulnerability maps, and the expansion of urban green spaces to reduce the heat island effect in urban centers.
The combination of record-breaking summers like the one in Aragon, a sustained increase in mortality from heat waves in Europe, and the growing pressure on occupational health It paints a picture in which extreme heat has ceased to be an exception and has become a stable component of the European climate. In response, measures are emerging that range from local bioclimatization projects in schools to reinforcements in meteorological services and new approaches to workplace risk prevention. The challenge now is for these measures to advance quickly and comprehensively enough so that future heat waves find Europe, and Spain in particular, better prepared than in previous summers.
