Report on Global Response to Extreme Heat and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Introduction: The Escalating Global Heat Crisis

In response to escalating global temperatures and their severe impacts, a consortium of international bodies, including the Global Heat Health Information Network (GHHIN), the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), and the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), has launched new resources. This initiative, titled Supporting Extreme Heat Risk Governance, aims to enhance global coordination on heat risk reduction. The urgency of this action is underscored by recent extreme heat events, which pose a significant threat to the achievement of multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

2.0 Impact of Extreme Heat on Sustainable Development

Extreme heat, often termed a “silent killer,” has manifested in severe heatwaves across North America, North Africa, the Middle East, and Europe, directly undermining progress on several SDGs.

• SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): The primary impact is on public health. The Mediterranean region’s third summer heatwave has led to major health crises, disruptions to essential services, and an increase in heat-related mortality. Modelled estimates indicate approximately 489,000 annual heat-related deaths between 2000 and 2019, a figure considered an under-representation due to reporting gaps. Every preventable death from extreme heat is a setback for SDG 3.
• SDG 13 (Climate Action): Attribution studies confirm a direct link between extreme heat events and climate change driven by greenhouse gas emissions. Europe’s hottest June on record and the globally recorded third warmest June highlight the failure to adequately address climate change, a core tenet of SDG 13.
• SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) & SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): Heatwaves have disrupted agricultural and outdoor labor, impacted economies, and strained infrastructure such as electricity and water supplies in regions like Iran. Wildfires fueled by heat have worsened air quality and caused casualties, threatening the sustainability of communities.

3.0 International Collaborative Framework for Heat Action

The international response is being coordinated through the UN Secretary-General’s Call to Action on Extreme Heat, supported by the WMO and nine other UN entities. This collaboration exemplifies SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) and focuses on four critical areas that align with various SDGs.

1. Caring for the vulnerable: Directly addresses SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by focusing on those most at risk.
2. Protecting workers: Aligns with SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by safeguarding labor forces from hazardous conditions.
3. Boosting resilience of economies and societies: Supports SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) through the use of data and science.
4. Limiting temperature rise to 1.5°C: The foundational goal of SDG 13 (Climate Action).

A key strategy is the enhancement of heat early warning systems under the Early Warnings for All initiative. Projections suggest that scaling up these systems in 57 countries could save an estimated 98,314 lives annually, a significant contribution to SDG 3. This work is further bolstered by an $11.5 million partnership with the Rockefeller Foundation and Wellcome, reinforcing the power of SDG 17.

4.0 New Resources for Enhanced Governance and SDG Implementation

The new resources launched by GHHIN, UNDRR, and WMO provide a strategic framework for nations to improve heat resilience and advance their SDG commitments.

4.1 Stocktake Report: Heat action across United Nations Entities and International Organizations

• This report assesses the landscape of extreme heat management within the UN system, identifying opportunities to improve collaboration and governance in line with SDG 17 to support the Call to Action.

4.2 An Assessment of Heat Action Plans: Global standards, good practices and partnerships

• This synthesis provides a structured framework for improving heat resilience, drawing on best practices from six countries. It offers a clear pathway for nations to develop policies that support SDG 3, SDG 11, and SDG 13.

4.3 Narrative Analysis: Case studies in heat resilience

• This analysis of 12 countries showcases diverse governance models and innovations in confronting extreme heat. The case studies offer practical examples of how national strategies can be evolved to address escalating climate threats, providing actionable insights for achieving climate and health-related SDGs.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• The article extensively discusses the health impacts of extreme heat, referring to it as a “silent killer” and a “public health emergency.” It cites statistics on heat-related deaths, stating that “between 2000 and 2019, approximately 489,000 heat-related deaths occurred each year.” The focus on preventing these deaths and managing health risks directly connects to SDG 3.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• The article highlights the negative impact of extreme heat on labor, noting that it has “disrupted outdoor and agricultural and labour activities.” Furthermore, one of the four critical areas in the UN Secretary-General’s Call to Action is “Protecting workers,” which aligns with ensuring safe and secure working environments.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• The article addresses the vulnerability of communities to extreme heat, mentioning “severe disruptions to electricity and water supplies” in Iran and the need for “countries and communities better prepare for rising temperatures.” The development and assessment of “Heat Action Plans” in various countries and the goal of boosting the “resilience of economies and societies” are central themes related to making human settlements resilient.

SDG 13: Climate Action

• This is a core theme of the article. It explicitly states there is “a clear link between extreme heat and climate change caused by heat-trapping greenhouse gases.” The entire piece is about adapting to the impacts of climate change, with initiatives aimed at strengthening “resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards.” The mention of limiting temperature rise to 1.5°C is a direct reference to global climate goals.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• The article is built on the concept of collaboration. It describes joint initiatives by the Global Heat Health Information Network (GHHIN), the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), and the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR). It also mentions partnerships with the WHO, the Rockefeller Foundation, and Wellcome, which have “jointly mobilized U.S. $11.5 million,” showcasing multi-stakeholder partnerships to address a global challenge.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• Target 3.d: Strengthen the capacity of all countries, in particular developing countries, for early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risks.
  • This is supported by the article’s focus on bolstering “heat early warning systems in line with the Early Warnings for All initiative” to ensure at-risk populations receive timely alerts and information. The article states that scaling up these systems could “save an estimated 98,314 lives per year.”

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• Target 8.8: Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers.
  • The UN’s Call to Action, as mentioned in the article, specifically includes “Protecting workers” as a critical area, directly addressing the need for safer working conditions amid rising extreme heat.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• Target 11.5: By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected…caused by disasters…with a focus on protecting the poor and people in vulnerable situations.
  • The article frames extreme heat as a disaster that causes a significant number of deaths (“489,000 heat-related deaths occurred each year”). The initiatives described aim to prevent these deaths and focus on “Caring for the vulnerable.”
• Target 11.b: …substantially increase the number of cities and human settlements adopting and implementing integrated policies and plans towards…adaptation to climate change, disaster risk reduction…
  • The article discusses “An Assessment of Heat Action Plans” and provides examples of countries (Australia, Canada, France, India, UK, US) that have such plans, which are integrated policies for climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction.

SDG 13: Climate Action

• Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
  • The article is centered on this target, with initiatives like “Supporting Extreme Heat Risk Governance” and the development of “Case studies in heat resilience” aimed at strengthening the ability of countries to cope with extreme heat events.
• Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change…adaptation, impact reduction and early warning.
  • The launch of new resources like the “Stocktake Report” and the “Narrative Analysis” report, as well as the mention of “public awareness campaigns,” directly contribute to building institutional capacity and raising awareness about extreme heat.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources…
  • The entire initiative described in the article is an example of this target in action. It details collaboration between UN agencies (WMO, UNDRR, WHO) and foundations (Rockefeller, Wellcome) to share knowledge (through reports) and mobilize financial resources (“U.S. $11.5 million”).

Indicators for Measuring Progress

Implied and Mentioned Indicators

• Number of deaths attributed to disasters: The article explicitly provides a statistic: “approximately 489,000 heat-related deaths occurred each year” between 2000 and 2019. This serves as a baseline indicator for measuring progress in reducing mortality from extreme heat (relevant to Target 11.5).
• Number of countries with national/local disaster risk reduction strategies: The article mentions an “Assessment of Heat Action Plans” and lists several countries with such plans (Australia, Canada, France, India, etc.). The existence and implementation of these plans are a direct indicator of progress (relevant to Targets 11.b and 13.1).
• Existence and coverage of early warning systems: The article discusses the “global scale-up of heat health-warning systems for 57 countries” and the “Early Warnings for All initiative.” The number of countries covered by these systems is a measurable indicator (relevant to Target 3.d and 13.3).
• Amount of financial resources mobilized for sustainable development: The article specifies that the Rockefeller Foundation and Wellcome have “jointly mobilized U.S. $11.5 million.” This is a quantifiable indicator of partnership effectiveness (relevant to Target 17.16).
• Number of collaborative initiatives and knowledge products: The launch of new resources such as the “Stocktake Report,” the “Assessment of Heat Action Plans,” and the “Narrative Analysis” are tangible outputs that can be counted as indicators of improved international cooperation and knowledge sharing (relevant to Target 13.3 and 17.16).

Summary of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: wmo.int