July 25, 2024--Today, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterrez launched a call to action on extreme heat.  
 

The Call for Action calls for an urgent and concerted effort to enhance international cooperation to address extreme heat in four critical areas:  Caring for the vulnerable - Protecting workers - Boosting resilience of economies and societies using data and science - Limiting temperature rise to 1.5°C by phasing out fossil fuels and scaling up investment in renewable energy.  

 

The following are reactions from civil society organizations to this important document:

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Masatsugu Asakawa, President, Asian Development Bank  

“As the world turns its attention to the impacts of heat, it cannot lose sight of those who face the heaviest burdens and suffer disproportionately from heat stress: women, vulnerable groups, including the poor and elderly, and workers. ADB will support our developing member countries on heat action planning that is gender-responsive, and identify solutions that governments can invest in. The challenges related to heat cannot be ignored, and our response cannot be delayed.” 

 

 

Eamon Ryan, Ireland’s Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications and Minister for Transport 
“This Call to Action on Extreme Heat by the UN Secretary General could not be more timely or more urgent. With 13 consecutive months up to June this year breaking global temperature records, climate change impacts are here and they are stark. What is of great concern to the Irish Government is the harrowing effect that extreme heat is having on some of the most vulnerable communities in Least Developed Countries, in Small Island Developing States, and in countries affected by conflict. These are the communities where Ireland focuses our work on adaptation and Loss and Damage. Extreme heat is now firmly part of the reality of many of these communities and we must all therefore rise to this challenge.” 

 

 

Izabella Texeira, trustee CEBRI and former minister of the environment, Brazil 

“Extreme heat is affecting every region of the world and it hits the vulnerable hardest. This is true in Brazil as much as other countries. Workers and people on low incomes, children and the sick are the most exposed and the least able to protect themselves from heat shocks. 

 

The UNSG’s call to action couldn’t have come too soon and will hopefully produce investment and cooperation that will help us protect everyone.  

 

Of course, action on extreme heat must also start with curbing emissions so living up to our commitments in COP28 to end fossil fuel emissions and to invest in nature and end deforestation.” 

 

I thank the UN Secretary General for his leadership and vision to address this rapidly growing economic and human crises. We have work to do. 

 

 

Reema Nanavaty, Director, Self-Employed Women's Association

"Globally, the issues of Climate Change, Poverty, Hunger and Decent Work are all considered separate and tackled in silos...But at SEWA, a national trade union of over 2.9 million poor self-employed women workers from the informal economy, we have witnessed that for these women it is a nexus...Extreme heat not only has a disproportionate impact on women's health but also on her life, food and nutrition, work and income, children's education, GBV and even mental health.

And yet, we have also seen that poor women are resilient, they do not sit on the sidelines waiting for help. With their intrinsic caring nature, they take on the role of custodians of nature, and collectively work towards Building Cleaner Skies.

Therefore, we commend Sec. General's call for action. Let us all come together and work towards strengthening the climate action of these poor women that will naturally and most economically yet effectively, bring women centre stage and enable far more significant achievement on the climate front."

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Razan Al Mubarak, UN Climate High-Level Champion COP 28  

“Extreme heat is now reaching into every corner of our lives, livelihoods, and economies. As a climate leader, mother, and a fierce conservationist, my heart beats for solving climate change and protecting nature. I applaud Sec. Gen. Guterres for this bold vision and ambitious call to action. I will be doing my part as a Climate Champion, as we approach COP 29, to help nature play its best role in greening and cooling communities. I look forward to being a partner to make this call to action deliver relief and new opportunities for people facing this growing threat.” 

 

 

Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, Mayor of Freetown, Sierra Leone 
“Freetown was the first African city to have its own heat action plan, and we’re combatting increasingly deadly heat in every way we can, from planting a million trees and introducing shade covers in the city’s markets to mapping urban heat, spreading awareness of heat risks and appointing Africa’s first “chief heat officer” to coordinate our efforts.  

 

But such efforts to combat extreme heat deaths, illness, and economic losses are still too rare, even as the threat grows. Many African countries, in particular, lack good data about heat impacts, handicapping efforts to reduce risks, protect economies, and save lives. 

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I hope the Secretary-General's call for global action on extreme heat will not only spur more of the kind of planning we have done in Freetown in many more cities but also spark international commitments of finance to enable cities to make such plans and protections a reality. We have no time to lose.”  

 

 

Mahmoud Mohieldin, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion COP27  

"As with other climate impacts, extreme heat disproportionately hits the vulnerable hardest. It is the women and workers of developing economies and emerging markets that are the most exposed and with the least capacity to protect themselves from heat shocks. This call to action will hopefully spur the kind of investment and cooperation that will help us protect everyone.  

 

Innovation to solve climate challenges is coming from around the world - and time and time again, it comes from developing countries. We can see that in response to extreme heat.  

 

I commend the UN Secretary General for his leadership and vision to address this rapidly growing economic and human crisis. This call to action should galvanize support to ensure we have the data and tools for every leader to take steps to protect their citizens. And of course, that we urgently reduce emissions that drive heat shocks."   

 

 

Nigel Topping, UN High-Level Climate Champion COP 26 

"I’ve spent my career promoting the business and economic case for making real progress on climate change.  Sustainable business will always benefit from a policy signal to boost it and keep it on a predictable track. Today’s Call to Action on Extreme Heat by SG Guterres is that signal for private sector players to help not only with the transition to net zero, but the transition to a cooler, livable world. The business and finance community has a huge role to play, and I’m inspired today to lend my energy and that of the organizations I lead to push for investment in a cooler world.” 

 

 

Gonzalo Muñoz, UN High-Level Climate Champion COP 25 
“Chile knows heat and fire all too well. Just this February, after days of extreme heat above 35 degrees Celsius, my country saw deadly wildfires that claimed more than 100 lives, with the government declaring a state emergency and a national mourning period. As global temperature records fall, day after day, much more needs to be done to protect people in Chile and around the world from what is clearly now a major risk to lives, health, economies and nature. The work needs to start now. I commend Secretary General Guterres' leadership." 

 

 

Emma Howard Boyd, Chair of the London Climate Resilience Review 
"The UN Secretary-General's call to action on extreme heat is a brutal reminder that reality always wins and no one can pretend 'This is fine'. Even in the UK we've seen temperatures of 40°C. The disruption that heatwave caused included a 50% increase in water consumption while reservoirs were at their lowest for 30 years and wildfires pushed the London Fire Brigade to its limits. No country’s plans are ahead of extreme temperatures, but cities and countries can and must learn from each other about how to protect the most vulnerable and keep infrastructure functioning. In Europe alone, women are dying at nearly twice the rate of men from extreme heat, researchers have found. The London Climate Resilience Review has recommended an official heat plan for London to deal with severe heatwaves, and we're very pleased the Mayor of London has agreed to take this forward." 

 

 

Rachel Kyte, Professor of Practice in Climate Policy, Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford  

“No matter where you live, extreme heat brings home the threat of climate impacts and the urgent need for more effective action. Eighteen years after we first understood the cost of inaction was higher than the cost of action, people are paying with their lives - queuing to vote, working in the fields, trapped in social housing with no ventilation. Nine years after we agreed to limit warming and leave no one behind, we are struggling on both counts. Our failure has a female face - as so often is the case with crises born of inequality. But the solutions are being led by women, too - from mayors and city leaders to union organizers, activists, and philanthropists. The call to action by the UN Secretary-General is a boost to their tireless work and an appeal to the more powerful and resourced to work together to get the tools, resources, and support to where it is needed now.” 

 

 

Jeff Goodell, author of The New York Times bestseller The Heat Will Kill You First 

“Extreme heat is not just a silent killer—for too long, it’s been an invisible killer too. This new report will help change that. It clearly outlines the scope and scale of the urgent threat we all face, and more importantly, what can be done about it.” 

 

 

Jess Ayers, CEO, Quadrature Climate Foundation  

“Extreme heat claims more lives than any other weather-related hazard, and with climate change driving temperatures to all-time highs, the stakes have never been higher. The most profound impacts are felt by the one billion urban poor residing in slums and informal settlements, where substandard housing with metal roofs lacks insulation or cooling systems. Emerging data shows that women are bearing the brunt - physically and economically. Many of these individuals are also employed in outdoor or factory jobs without any social protections.  

 

In response, Quadrature Climate Foundation is joining other philanthropic organisations, to commit $50 million in rapid-response funding. This funding is aimed at developing and deploying solutions that enhance preparedness, adaptation, and resilience to the intensifying crisis of extreme heat." 

 

 

Mamta Borgoyary, Executive Director, SHE Changes Climate 

“This call to action comes at a pivotal moment, and it is essential that countries address this challenge with urgency. I want to reaffirm the importance of focusing on vulnerable communities and adopting a rights-based approach in the heat action plans. Women face heightened health risks due to extreme heat, making it imperative that the action plans are specifically tailored to respond to their needs, ensuring the safety and well-being of those most at risk. It is indeed imperative that a coordinated and systemic approach is adopted to strengthen global action on extreme heat.” 

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Laura Clarke, CEO, ClientEarth 

“Last Sunday was our planet’s hottest day on record. Deadly heatwaves are humanity’s new normal. This is affecting our societies, economies, and health in profound ways. But the most vulnerable in our societies - the poor and disadvantaged; women; manual workers; the very young and the very old – are bearing the brunt of the impact. 

This call to action from the UN Secretary General must be a wakeup call - we are sleepwalking into disaster. Governments and authorities everywhere have a human rights obligation to protect their people from the effects of climate change, including extreme heat. They must ramp up coordinated global action to drastically cut greenhouse gas emissions and build resilience to extreme weather.” 

 

 

  

Professor Lord Nicholas Stern, Chair of the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at the London School of Economics and Political Science 

“Extreme heatwaves will increase in intensity and frequency across the world until global emissions of greenhouse gases are reduced to net zero. Extreme heat undermines economic development and growth by causing widespread societal and economic harm through illness and death, severely reducing labour productivity, and damaging crops and other assets. As the United Nations Secretary-General points out, it is essential that we limit this harm by investing in stronger adaptation and resilience while trying to prevent an over-dependence on air conditioning. And, of course, we must move much more quickly to cut emissions and reach net zero.” 

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Kathy Baughman McLeod, CEO, Climate Resilience for All 

“As an organization focused on addressing extreme heat for women and vulnerable communities, we are grateful to see the recognition of the massive scale of the draining and deadly effects of extreme heat – especially for the poor and climate-blameless.  

  

This call to action holds great promise for tangible solutions that respect the needs and dignity of people facing life in extreme heat. It’s critical that actions prioritize the health and livelihoods of women, as they physically, culturally, and financially bear a bigger share of the brutal brunt of heat.” 

 

 

Veronica Scotti, Chairperson Public Sector Solutions, Swiss Re 

“Swiss Re's sustainability ambitions of advancing the net zero transition and building societal resilience aptly reflect the importance of addressing the risks of extreme heat. This is why we are proud to have partnered with CRA in delivering an innovative parametric earnings protection solution that has benefited over 46'000 women following the recent extreme heat in India. We welcome global discussions underway to better mitigate against and adapt to extreme heat, and we remain committed to help further such efforts through our expertise in risk modelling and our bespoke, pre-arranged financing mechanisms for fast responses" 

 

 

Julie Arrighi, Director of Programmes, Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre 

“The United Nations Secretary-General's call to action on extreme heat is pivotal. Rising heat risks are among the most pressing manifestations of the climate crisis and developing a comprehensive global strategy to accelerate protective actions is a crucial step toward reducing impacts.” 

 

 

Ritu Bharadwaj, Principal Researcher, International Institute for Environment and Development 

“Very hot weather is on the rise for everyone, from rich-world urbanites sweltering in buildings not designed to withstand a warming climate, to rural farmers in India driven to suicide when drought ruins their crops. Globally, not nearly enough money is being spent to help communities adapt to this reality – and only a fraction goes to cities, despite their rapidly increasing populations and the potentially huge economic benefits of making sure all residents have quality, well-cooled housing.” 

 

 

Karim Elgendy, Associate Director, Buro Happold   

In the Middle East, extreme heat is not a future threat—it's a present reality. A global heat action plan, backed by robust funding is urgently needed to drive innovation in cooling technologies, strengthen early warning systems, and build resilient infrastructure. The region is on the frontline of the extreme heat crisis and its very survival is at stake. No region should be left to face this challenge alone.