German city representatives are urging national and regional governments to enhance protections for individuals experiencing homelessness amidst rising temperatures.
Christian Schuchardt, chief executive of the German Association of Cities, highlighted a growing concern over the increasing number of people without secure housing. He welcomed the national action plan to combat homelessness, but stressed the need for greater consideration of heat-related risks within the strategy. Schuchardt emphasized that responsibility should not fall solely on municipalities and called for concrete, collaborative measures between national and regional authorities.
The national action plan, a guideline developed by the federal government, aims to overcome homelessness by 2030.
Gerda Hasselfeldt, President of the German Red Cross, advocated for an adequate supply of heat-resistant emergency shelters. She also proposed increased funding for outreach programs, citing the success of Red Cross heat buses – currently operating in several cities – in providing assistance during heatwaves. Hasselfeldt believes these initiatives can significantly contribute to public health given the growing frequency of extremely hot days.
Data indicates that Germany has experienced a threefold increase in heat days – days exceeding a certain temperature threshold – since the 1950s, now averaging around 11.5 per year. Projections suggest that, without significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, cities like Berlin could face between 20 and 35 heat days annually between 2071 and 2100. Adhering to the Paris Climate Agreement targets, however, could limit the average to between ten and sixteen heat days per year.