Key action areas for addressing extreme heat in the Asia-Pacific: Lessons from regional platforms

This special issue focuses on strategies emerging from regional dialogues. It highlights the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration, early warning systems, nature-based cooling solutions, and inclusive governance. By integrating scientific innovation with community-led adaptation efforts, Asia-Pacific nations can bolster their resilience against extreme heat.

The insights shared in this issue provide a blueprint for future policies, climate-responsive urban planning, and sustainable financing mechanisms. This issue covers the following topics:

1. Combating extreme heat in Asia-Pacific: APMCDRR 2024 as a catalyst for resilience and disaster risk reduction;
2. ADRRN Insight into extreme heat: an emerging priority for Disaster Risk Reduction in Asia;
3. Protection of coastal communities from extreme heat in Bangladesh;
4. Nothing about us without us: Centering children and young people in climate action and heat governance;
5. Cooling communities: Mercy Corps' top priorities for extreme heat action;
6. The effect of extreme heat and drought in Afghanistan;
7. Building climate resilience in Pakistan: Community-led adaptation and urban sustainability in the Asia Pacific;
8. Top two cooling agenda items for the heat resilience and performance centre against extreme heat in 2025;
9. Extreme heat: Recommendations for local action in the Asia-Pacific Region.