10 key heat health messages from the IPCC AR6 report

The Working Group II contribution to the IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report – AR6 Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability – released ​​28 February 2022, includes important messages about the current and future impacts of extreme heat on human health.

In advance of the release of the Global Health Health Information Network’s synthesis report on “Climate Change, Heat, and Human Health” from the AR6, let’s take a quick look at the top 10 AR6 heat health messages.

1. Heat is a growing health risk

Heat is a growing health risk, due to burgeoning urbanisation, an increase in high temperature extremes, and demographic changes in countries with ageing populations (very high confidence). A significant proportion of heat-related mortality in temperate regions is linked to observed anthropogenic climate change, but greater evidence is required for tropical regions. For some heatwave events over the last two decades, associated health impacts can be at least partially attributed to observed climate change. In  assessed  regions, some  mental  health  challenges  are  associated  with  increasing  temperatures  (high  confidence). 

2. Climate change is significantly increasing exposure to heat waves

Globally,  population  exposure  to  heatwaves  will  continue to  increase  with  additional  warming,  with  strong  geographical  differences  in  heat-related  mortality  without additional  adaptation  (very  high  confidence). Regional level assessments of changes in population heat exposure for Africa, Europe, the US, China and India corroborate the general findings at the global level – the impact of warming is amplified under divergent regional development pathways (e.g., SSP4 – inequality) compared to those fostering sustainable development (e.g., SSP1 – sustainability) (high confidence).

3. Certain groups face a disproportionately high risk to extreme heat.

Excess deaths during extreme heat events occur predominantly in older individuals and are overwhelmingly cardiovascular in origin (very high confidence). Maternal heat exposure is a risk factor for several adverse maternal, foetal, and neonatal outcomes, with additional research needed on future impacts of climate change on maternal, foetal and neonatal health.

4. Population growth in tropical and subtropical regions will soon contribute to strong geographical differences in heat-related mortality.

Strong geographical differences in heat-related mortality are projected to emerge later this century, mainly driven by population growth in regions with tropical and subtropical climates (very high confidence). Whether adaptation is considered or not, the consensus is Central and South America, Southern Europe, Southern and Southeast Asia and Africa will be the most affected by climate change related increases in heat-related mortality (high confidence).

5. The impact of heat on labour productivity and GDP is a growing concern.

The effect of climate change on productivity is projected to reduce GDP at a range of geographical scales (high confidence). Potential hours of work lost due to heat has increased significantly over the past two decades, and some regions are already experiencing heat stress conditions at or approaching the upper limits of labour productivity. For example, measuring economic costs using occupational health and safety recommendations, it was estimated that RCP8.5 would result in a 2.4% reduction in global GDP, compared to a 0.5% reduction under RCP2.6.

6. The Urban Heat Island effect will increase heat risk in cities.

Hot  extremes  including heatwaves  have  intensified  in  cities  (high  confidence). Heat risks are expected to be greater in urban areas due to changes in regional heat exacerbated by ‘heat island’ effects  (high confidence). 

7. Extreme heat compounded the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the pandemic, extreme weather and climate events such as droughts, storms, floods, wildfires and heat waves continued, resulting in disastrous compounding impacts (high confidence). Between March and September 2020, 431.7 million people were exposed to extreme heat in areas managing active transmission of COVID-19.

8. Heat action plans that incorporate early warning and response systems are important adaptation solutions.

Adaptation options for future extreme heat risks include heat action plans that incorporate early warning and response systems for urban and non-urban settings; tried, tested, and iteratively updated response strategies targeting both the general population and vulnerable groups such as older adults or outside workers; and effective stakeholder communication plans (high confidence).

9. Long term urban planning and design can complement short-term responses to heat health risks. 

Short-term responses can be complemented by longer term urban planning and design, including Nature-based Solutions that mitigate urban heat island effects (high confidence).

10. Multi-sectoral approaches will benefit long term responses to the health risks of heat.

A multi-sectoral approach, including the engagement of a range of stakeholders, will likely benefit the response to longer term heat risks through the implementation of measures such as climate sensitive urban design and planning to mitigate urban heat island effects (high confidence).