Spain Launches National Network of Climate Shelters to Tackle Deadly Heat Waves
Spain unveils a national climate shelter network to protect citizens against rising heat wave risks amid record-breaking temperatures and mortality rates.
- • Spain is establishing a national network of climate shelters to combat rising heat wave threats.
- • The initiative includes existing shelters in Barcelona and the Basque Country, focusing on urban cooling spaces.
- • Since 1961, Spain's average temperature has risen 1.69ºC, with heat-related deaths exceeding 21,700 from 2015 to 2023.
- • 2025 saw Spain's hottest summer on record with a 16-day heat wave exceeding 45ºC, intensifying health risks.
- • The government plans funding and support especially for regions most affected by heat dangers.
Key details
On December 18, 2025, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced a groundbreaking initiative to establish a national network of climate shelters aimed at protecting citizens from increasingly severe heat waves. This program responds directly to the surge in extreme heat events that have become "the new normal" in Spain, with 2025 marking the hottest summer ever recorded. According to the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET), a 16-day heat wave in August pushed temperatures above 45ºC, exacerbating health risks particularly in urban areas where the heat island effect intensifies the impact.
Since 1961, Spain's average temperature has risen by 1.69ºC, as reported by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), resulting in more frequent and intense heat episodes. From 2015 to 2023, over 21,700 heat-related deaths occurred nationwide, with a significant spike observed during the summer of 2025. To counter these dangers, the government will convert public buildings into climate shelters, offering cooling spaces especially in urban settings. Existing infrastructures like approximately 400 shelters in Barcelona—including libraries and sports centers—and those in the Basque Country will be integrated into this national strategy.
Prime Minister Sánchez emphasized the importance of funding and targeted support for the regions most vulnerable to heat health risks. This initiative reflects a proactive public health response to climate change, addressing rising mortality associated with extreme temperatures.
In summary, Spain’s new climate shelter network aims to mitigate the health impacts of severe heat waves by providing safe refuges, integrating current facilities, and allocating resources to protect its population amid ongoing climate challenges.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
