Heat, pollution, and diseases: the triple climate threat in Europe
Global warming, driven by human activity, is intensifying health effects in Europe, with a significant increase in health alerts for extreme heat.
In the past 25 years, these alerts have tripled, according to the ‘2026 Europe report of the Lancet Countdown on health and climate change’. This report, prepared by 65 researchers from 46 academic and UN institutions, provides a comprehensive assessment of how climate change affects health in Europe through 43 indicators.
Published in ‘The Lancet Public Health,’ the research was led by the University of Heidelberg and the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal). According to the report, heat-related risks have increased dramatically, with a 318% increase in extreme heat alerts compared to the 1990s. Between 2015 and 2024, there were 4.3 extreme daily alerts per year, compared to just one between 1991 and 2000. Additionally, there has been an increase in heat-attributable deaths, which could reach 62,000 deaths in 2024.
Joacim Rocklöv, co-director of Lancet Countdown in Europe, noted that “across Europe, the health consequences of climate change are accelerating faster than our response capacity.” He added that rising temperatures, air pollution, exposure to infectious diseases, and threats to food security place millions of people at risk.
Extreme heat alerts triple
The report reveals that 99.6% of the analyzed regions have experienced an increase in heat-related deaths in the last decade. Extreme heat alerts have tripled between the decades of 1991-2000 and 2015-2024, particularly affecting babies, the elderly, and outdoor workers. Inequalities are also worsening, as low-income households are 10% more likely to face food insecurity due to extreme weather events. Economically depressed regions are more exposed to wildfires and have less access to green spaces.
Climate change is also contributing to the spread of infectious diseases. The risk of dengue outbreaks in Europe has nearly quadrupled, increasing by 297% when comparing the last decade with the period from 1980 to 2010. Countries like Italy and France have seen a 32% increase in the coastline suitable for Vibrio infections between 2015 and 2024. Additionally, climate change has prolonged the pollen season, increasing exposure for those suffering from allergic rhinitis.
Deaths from air pollution
Europe’s dependence on fossil fuels affects governments, making them vulnerable to volatile markets and undermining energy and economic security. In 2023, European government aid to address energy costs amounted to 444 billion euros, tripling the levels of 2016. Hannah Klauber, co-director of Working Group 4 of Lancet Countdown, summarized it as follows: “As long as Europe continues to rely on fossil fuels, our economies, public budgets, and health will remain vulnerable.”
The use of polluting fuels has contributed to a 4% increase in mortality attributable to PM2.5 air pollution in EU households between 2000 and 2022. However, the report highlights promising advances, such as the growth of renewable energies and the reduction of carbon intensity.
In 2023, electricity from renewable sources reached a record 21.5% of the European energy mix, more than double the percentage in 2016. Carbon intensity and coal consumption were reduced again in 2023, supported by an investment in clean energies 86% higher than in 2015. Deaths related to pollution from the energy sector in the EU have fallen by 84% since 2000 and by 58% in the transport sector. These improvements demonstrate that health-beneficial climate measures are feasible and effective.
Global warming, driven by human activity, is intensifying health effects in Europe, with a significant increase in health alerts for extreme heat.
In the past 25 years, these alerts have tripled, according to the ‘2026 Europe report of the Lancet Countdown on health and climate change’. This report, prepared by 65 researchers from 46 academic and UN institutions, provides a comprehensive assessment of how climate change affects health in Europe through 43 indicators.
Published in ‘The Lancet Public Health,’ the research was led by the University of Heidelberg and the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal). According to the report, heat-related risks have increased dramatically, with a 318% increase in extreme heat alerts compared to the 1990s. Between 2015 and 2024, there were 4.3 extreme daily alerts per year, compared to just one between 1991 and 2000. Additionally, there has been an increase in heat-attributable deaths, which could reach 62,000 deaths in 2024.
Joacim Rocklöv, co-director of Lancet Countdown in Europe, noted that “across Europe, the health consequences of climate change are accelerating faster than our response capacity.” He added that rising temperatures, air pollution, exposure to infectious diseases, and threats to food security place millions of people at risk.
Extreme heat alerts triple
The report reveals that 99.6% of the analyzed regions have experienced an increase in heat-related deaths in the last decade. Extreme heat alerts have tripled between the decades of 1991-2000 and 2015-2024, particularly affecting babies, the elderly, and outdoor workers. Inequalities are also worsening, as low-income households are 10% more likely to face food insecurity due to extreme weather events. Economically depressed regions are more exposed to wildfires and have less access to green spaces.
Climate change is also contributing to the spread of infectious diseases. The risk of dengue outbreaks in Europe has nearly quadrupled, increasing by 297% when comparing the last decade with the period from 1980 to 2010. Countries like Italy and France have seen a 32% increase in the coastline suitable for Vibrio infections between 2015 and 2024. Additionally, climate change has prolonged the pollen season, increasing exposure for those suffering from allergic rhinitis.
Deaths from air pollution
Europe’s dependence on fossil fuels affects governments, making them vulnerable to volatile markets and undermining energy and economic security. In 2023, European government aid to address energy costs amounted to 444 billion euros, tripling the levels of 2016. Hannah Klauber, co-director of Working Group 4 of Lancet Countdown, summarized it as follows: “As long as Europe continues to rely on fossil fuels, our economies, public budgets, and health will remain vulnerable.”
The use of polluting fuels has contributed to a 4% increase in mortality attributable to PM2.5 air pollution in EU households between 2000 and 2022. However, the report highlights promising advances, such as the growth of renewable energies and the reduction of carbon intensity.
In 2023, electricity from renewable sources reached a record 21.5% of the European energy mix, more than double the percentage in 2016. Carbon intensity and coal consumption were reduced again in 2023, supported by an investment in clean energies 86% higher than in 2015. Deaths related to pollution from the energy sector in the EU have fallen by 84% since 2000 and by 58% in the transport sector. These improvements demonstrate that health-beneficial climate measures are feasible and effective.
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