In 2023, Europe experienced severe heat, resulting in approximately 47,690 heat-related deaths, marking it as the second highest mortality rate in the period of 2015-2023, surpassed only by 2022. The study analyzed data from 35 countries and 823 regions to assess the impact of temperature on mortality, focusing on different age and gender groups.

Key Findings:
– A significant increase in heat-related deaths would have occurred without ongoing adaptation efforts; the mortality burden would have been 80% higher.
– The elderly population, particularly those aged 80 and older, exhibited a 100.7% increase in heat-related mortality without current adaptations.
– Adaptation strategies implemented since 2000 have played a crucial role in saving lives during extreme heat events, emphasizing the need for continued and enhanced adaptation measures to mitigate future heat-related health impacts.

This data illustrates the critical importance of combining climate resilience strategies and health protections to reduce the impacts of rising global temperatures on human health.