The Lancet: European cities adapting too slowly to climate-related health risks

Many major European cities, increasingly exposed to the health impacts of climate change, have begun implementing measures such as expanding green spaces and promoting sustainable mobility; however, the pace of adaptation is too slow, according to a study published in the scientific journal The Lancet and cited by AFP. For millions of urban-dwelling Europeans, risks associated with heatwaves, infectious diseases, wildfires, and pollen exposure are on the rise. The study analyzes, for the first time, 28 indicators at the intersection of climate change and health across Europe's 850 largest cities.

• Climate risks vary significantly by region

"The study highlights regional disparities regarding how these cities are affected by climate-related health risks and how they cope with them," Cathryn Tonne, co-lead of the • Lancet Countdown Europe• project, told AFP. According to the authors, heatwave-related mortality in Southern European cities rose by nearly 161% between the 1991-2000 and 2015-2024 periods. In those same cities, the risk of wildfires increased by 7% between 2003 and 2023. In Eastern Europe, climatic conditions favorable to dengue fever transmission increased by 369% between the 1982-2010 and 2015-2024 periods. At the same time, pollen concentrations have doubled in cities across southern and eastern Europe.

• Over 1,500 adaptation measures identified

European cities have begun adopting measures to limit the effects of global warming, which is primarily linked to the burning of coal, oil, and gas. Researchers identified more than 1,500 adaptation measures, ranging from early warning systems and increased vegetation cover to the development of green spaces and flood protection measures. In 88% of the 533 European cities with over 100,000 inhabitants analyzed for this indicator, urban surface temperatures decreased between 2014 and 2019. The average reduction was 0.7 degrees Celsius. According to the study, cities that implemented the most greening measures also recorded the most significant drops in local temperatures.

• Available data does not capture all variations

However, the research does have certain limitations. Data is primarily available at the municipal level, which "masks differences within a city," noted Cathryn Tonne. Furthermore, a lack of data prevented the inclusion of certain aspects of the relationship between climate change and health, such as the climate-related costs borne by healthcare systems. The study's authors warn that "much remains to be done," citing "significant financial and technical obstacles" and insufficient political commitment. Cathryn Tonne finds it "surprising" that most solutions are "well-known but rarely implemented." Researchers Call for Accelerated Adaptation Measures

Researchers recommend combining heatwave adaptation measures with urban transformation and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. According to them, lowering emissions would also yield direct health benefits by reducing air pollution.

Urgent measures include strengthening early warning systems and integrating them into urban adaptation plans. Adapting urban planning and transport systems is another priority. Researchers recommend expanding green spaces-particularly through tree planting-using construction materials that absorb less heat, de-sealing paved surfaces, encouraging walking and cycling, and developing public transport. Europe is the fastest-warming continent, heating up at a rate approximately twice the global average.