π₯ Population & Health
Exposure maps the presence of population and social facilities/basic services. Vulnerability combines age distribution, green-area access, water-body proximity, population density and social-facility importance.
CLIMATE HAZARD RISK ASSESSMENT
Heatwaves
People & Health Risk
The final ClimEmpower heatwave methodology assesses heat-related risk to people and health using the standard Hazard Γ Exposure Γ Vulnerability structure.
Heat hazard is represented by tropical nights: days with minimum near-surface (2 m) air temperature above 20Β°C. The methodology uses the historical period as reference and classifies three future periods relative to it.
> 20Β°CDaily minimum air-temperature threshold for a tropical night
7 classes0β10 to >150 tropical nights per year
METHOD OVERVIEW
People & Health Risk
The assessment combines a mapped climate hazard with the people, assets or ecosystems exposed to it and their vulnerability. Sector-specific indicators then produce the final risk result.
HHazardIntensity & extent
Γ
EExposurePeople & assets
Γ
VVulnerabilitySensitivity & capacity
=
RRiskPotential impact
Population & Health
Layer structure, input variables and scoring logic for the heatwaves risk maps.
RISK INDEX
Region-normalized
Heatwaves Risk Index
Composite result of Hazard Γ Exposure Γ Vulnerability. After the component variables are equally weighted, the final map is normalized against the maximum calculated risk within each region and reclassified into five region-specific qualitative classes.
RISK FORMULA
Heatwaves Γ Population & Health
R = H Γ E Γ VHHazard
Tropical Nights
Annual number of days with daily minimum near-surface (2 m) air temperature above 20Β°C.
Copernicus Climate Data StoreEExposure
Presence of Population
Binary presence of population in areas prone to high temperatures.
ESTAT Census Grid 2021 / Eurostat GISCOPresence of Social Facilities and Basic Services
Binary presence of critical facilities such as hospitals and schools.
EU Basic Services data / EurostatVVulnerability
Population Age Distribution
Percentage of vulnerable population: children under 5 and adults over 65.
Regional / Local Census dataDistance to Green Areas
Proxy for cooling capacity and adaptive capacity; the methodology scores simultaneous access to green-area buffers.
OpenStreetMapDistance to Water Bodies
Proxy for cooling capacity and adaptive capacity; proximity to water bodies reduces local heat vulnerability.
OpenStreetMapPopulation Density
Population density is scored from <1 to >3000 inhabitants/kmΒ².
ESTAT Census Grid 2021 / Eurostat GISCOSocial Facilities and Basic Services
Facility types are scored by the importance of the vulnerable groups and services they host.
EU Basic Services data / EurostatRisk map factsheetOpen the sector-specific infographic without leaving this page.
HHazard Variables1 variable+
Tropical Nights
Daily minimum near-surface (2 m) air temperature above 20Β°C. Classes: 0β10 Very Low/Minimal; 11β30 Low; 31β60 Medium; 61β90 High; 91β120 Very High; 121β150 Severe; >150 Extreme/Chronic.
DATA SOURCECopernicus Climate Data Store
RESOLUTIONERA5-Land 0.1Β° Γ 0.1Β°
EExposure Variables2 variables+
Presence of Population
Binary presence of population in areas prone to high temperatures.
DATA SOURCEESTAT Census Grid 2021 / Eurostat GISCO
RESOLUTION1 km Γ 1 km
Presence of Social Facilities and Basic Services
Binary presence of critical facilities hosting vulnerable groups.
DATA SOURCEEU Basic Services data / Eurostat
RESOLUTIONSubnational / NUTS-3
VVulnerability Variables5 variables+
Population Age Distribution
Share of children under 5 and adults over 65; normalized according to the regional population distribution.
DATA SOURCERegional / Local Census data
RESOLUTIONRegional / Local
Distance to Green Areas
Cooling/adaptive-capacity proxy derived from selected OSM green-area classes and area-dependent buffers.
DATA SOURCEOpenStreetMap
RESOLUTIONVector; final raster 25 m
Distance to Water Bodies
Cooling/adaptive-capacity proxy; proximity to water bodies reduces local heat vulnerability.
DATA SOURCEOpenStreetMap
RESOLUTIONVector
Population Density
Scored from <1 to >3000 inhabitants/kmΒ².
DATA SOURCEESTAT Census Grid 2021 / Eurostat GISCO
RESOLUTION1 km Γ 1 km
Social Facilities and Basic Services
Facility types scored by importance, with hospitals receiving the highest value.
DATA SOURCEEU Basic Services data / Eurostat
RESOLUTIONSubnational / NUTS-3
Healthcare System Preparedness
Society & Educationβ Strengthen health services and emergency response capacity for heat-related illnesses.
Regions: SicilyImprove Health and Safety Policies Considering Climate Change
Society & Educationβ Include temperature hazards in health and safety policies and future risk assessments.
Regions: AndalusStrengthen Services for the Most Vulnerable People
Society & Educationβ Strengthen citizen-help services to prevent impacts of heat and other extreme climate events on vulnerable people.
Regions: AndalusCommunity Gardens & Food Security
Society & Educationβ Promote community gardens to support local food production, food security, community resilience and urban cooling.
Regions: OBZPublic Cooling Centers
Society & Educationβ Provide accessible air-conditioned spaces for relief during extreme heat events, especially for vulnerable groups.
Regions: SicilyPublic Awareness Campaigns
Society & Educationβ Educate communities about heat risks and protective behaviours such as hydration, shading and avoiding peak-hour outdoor activity.
Regions: SicilyGreen Roofs, Cool Roofs & Urban Vegetation
Infrastructureβ Use green roofs, green walls, reflective roofs and urban vegetation to reduce heat absorption and improve building performance.
Regions: OBZ, SicilySmart Energy Management
Infrastructureβ Use sensors and automation to optimise building energy use.
Regions: OBZClimate-Resilient Building Design & Shading
Infrastructureβ Improve insulation, natural ventilation and passive cooling, and add shading structures in public spaces.
Regions: OBZ, Sicily, Troodos, AndalusRetrofit Housing for Adaptation
Infrastructureβ Renovate housing to improve insulation against heat and flooding and replace obsolete electrical installations.
Regions: AndalusEnergy System Resilience
Infrastructureβ Upgrade energy infrastructure to cope with higher electricity demand for cooling during heatwaves.
Regions: SicilyAfforestation & Naturally Vegetated Land
Environment & Natureβ Establish and manage trees and natural vegetation to enhance cooling, soil stability and moisture retention while minimising fire risk.
Regions: OBZ, TroodosSoil Moisture Conservation
Environment & Natureβ Use mulch to reduce soil evaporation, moderate soil temperature and retain moisture.
Regions: OBZHeat-Resilient Farming Systems
Environment & Natureβ Use shade nets or agroforestry to protect crops and livestock from heat stress.
Regions: OBZUrban Green Parks and Tree Planting
Environment & Natureβ Develop and maintain parks, gardens, urban forests and street trees to provide shade and cooling.
Regions: OBZ, Sicily, TroodosWater Features and Misting Systems
Environment & Natureβ Use fountains, ponds and misting systems in public areas to provide evaporative cooling.
Regions: SicilyLawns and Green Areas
Environment & Natureβ Use suitable permeable green areas to support heat control, recreation, biodiversity and other urban functions.
Regions: AndalusPublic Awareness, Information, Education and Communication
Governance & Planningβ Inform citizens and visitors about climate hazards and resilience recommendations through public communication and training.
Regions: OBZ, AndalusAssess Thermoregulatory Vegetation in the City
Governance & Planningβ Identify areas where additional thermoregulatory vegetation is needed and prioritise interventions.
Regions: OBZ, TroodosImplement Climate Shelters
Governance & Planningβ Identify and equip cool refuges such as parks, gardens and public buildings for use during heat alerts.
Regions: TroodosEarly Warning Systems for Heatwaves
Governance & Planningβ Provide heat forecasts, alerts and guidance to citizens and institutions.
Regions: SicilyHow measures reduce risk
Adaptation measures can reduce risk by changing hazard, exposure and/or vulnerability, depending on the measure and local context. The effect should be linked to the relevant risk component rather than assumed in advance.