Europe 2025 heatwaves: demand for AC surges as heat-related deaths triple

The impact of heatwaves on health

 

According to the World Meteorological Organization, July 2025 was the third-warmest July globally (after July 2023 and 2024) ^[1]. Heatwaves affected Europe well into August. For instance, in Athens, Greece, temperatures reached 44 degrees Celsius, forcing the city to close the Acropolis, a UNESCO World Heritage site, to protect visitors from the dangers of heat stress ^[2].

 

Soaring temperatures represent a public health crisis, as heat-related deaths become a growing concern. Researchers from Imperial College London found that climate change has nearly tripled the number of heat-related deaths in 12 European cities included in their analysis ^[3]. During a single ten-day heat wave in June and July 2025, Milan, Barcelona, and 10 other European cities recorded 2,300 heat-related deaths ^[2].

 

In response, heat action plans and early warning systems aimed at reducing heat-related deaths are increasingly being implemented. Currently, 21 European countries have heat-health action plans (HHAPs) in place to guide both short-term response actions and long-term climate adaptation measures ^[4] such as district cooling systems.

 

The impact of heatwaves on air-conditioning demand

 

According to the Lancet Countdown report on health and climate change, around 195,000 heat-related deaths globally were averted in 2019 thanks to air-conditioning access among people aged 65 and older.

 

In Europe, air-conditioning demand and the associated energy use isare expanding. During the June and July 2025 heat wave, electricity demand in some parts of Europe spiked by as much as 14%, contributing to outages in countries like Italy ^[3].  In Germany, energy demand during heat waves has risen more than fivefold since 1979 ^[3].

 

While household ownership of air conditioning in Europe is currently estimated at 20%, IIR projects that the stock of air conditioners will double in Europe by 2050 ^[5].

 

Passive cooling strategies – insulation, natural shading and ventilation, or reflective surfaces – offer a more sustainable alternative, effectively lowering cooling demands and energy use. Hybrid systems that combine one or more passive technologies with conventional cooling methods are also an avenue worth exploring for appreciable energy savings ^[6].

 

 

Sources

[1] WMO. (7 August 2025) Extreme heat impacts millions of people. https://wmo.int/media/news/extreme-heat-impacts-millions-of-people

[2] Slavcheva R., Shabou S., Mackres E, Bekkers A. WRI.(August 20, 2025). https://www.wri.org/insights/europes-heat-and-air-conditioning-dilemma

[3] Imperial College. Grantham Institute of Climate Change and the Environment. (July 2025) Climate change tripled heat-related deaths in early summer European heatwave. https://www.imperial.ac.uk/grantham/publications/all-publications/climate-change-tripled-heat-related-deaths-in-early-summer-european-heatwave.php

[4] EEA. (27 Nov 2024) The impacts of heat on health: surveillance and preparedness in Europe https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/analysis/publications/the-impacts-of-heat-on-health?activeTab=babece34-c8a2-478e-b947-4eaedc9fb9e3

[5] Baha M., Hammami S., Dupont J.-L. The role of refrigeration in global economy. 3rd edition. 60th Technical Brief on Refrigeration Technologies. International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR), Paris. http://dx.doi.org/10.18462/iir.TechBrief.04.2025

[6] Lazzarin, R. (2022) Passive cooling technologies. 47th Informatory Note on Refrigeration Technologies. https://iifiir.org/en/fridoc/passive-cooling-technologies-47-lt-sup-gt-th-lt-sup-gt-informatory-note-on-145148