A global network helping cities transform their approach to extreme heat
The Cool Cities Network brings together C40 cities exposed to heat risk to find solutions that protect the health, lives and livelihoods of their residents from extreme heat.
As part of C40’s wider work on climate adaptation, the network enables cities to share innovative approaches and collectively solve the complex challenges of urban heat. It works closely with the Urban Flooding Network and Water Security Network to address interconnected climate risks.
The network also supports cities working towards the C40 Cool Cities Accelerator framework for comprehensive heat action.
How cities benefit from sharing approaches to urban heat
- Extreme heat is a relatively new area of climate risk management for many cities, which makes shared learning and joint problem solving essential.
- Many network cities are already taking innovative action. These early successes represent a significant opportunity for knowledge sharing among members.
- Addressing urban heat requires coordinated effort between many city departments and forward-looking policies that change how cities are built. The complexity demands collaboration and information sharing.
How the Cool Cities Network supports collaboration between cities
The network enables cities to:
- share knowledge through webinars and informal meetings with cities and heat experts
- problem-solve through city clinics, where network members help troubleshoot specific challenges a city is facing
- access guides, research reports and case studies on urban heat action
- use tools including the Heat Resilient Cities Benefits Tool to quantify health, economic and environmental benefits of interventions, and the Heat Insights Tool to identify at-risk neighbourhoods and potential solutions
- connect through peer-to-peer exchange with cities working on similar challenges
- build capacity through in-person workshops
Core areas of action on urban heat resilience
Heat governance
Cross-agency coordination, clear protocols and established leadership for heat action.
Early warning and emergency response
Early warning systems, emergency outreach and heat risk education for residents.
Emergency cooling solutions
Assessing heat vulnerabilities to identify hotspots and implementing targeted cooling interventions, with a focus on protecting the most vulnerable.
Indoor thermal safety
Ensuring residents are protected from extreme heat in their homes and workplaces.
Cool corridors and public spaces
Creating heat-safe public spaces and networks of green spaces across the city.
Heat-proofing critical infrastructure
Designing transport, energy and water infrastructure to withstand extreme temperatures.
Cities in the Cool Cities Network
Accra, Amsterdam, Athens, Auckland, Austin, Barcelona, Berlin, Boston, Buenos Aires, Cape Town, Ciudad de México, Dar es Salaam, Dhaka North, Durban (eThekwini), Fortaleza, Guadalajara, Karachi, Lisbon, London, Los Angeles, Madrid, Medellín, Melbourne, Miami, Milan, Montréal, New Orleans, New York City, Paris, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Quezon City, Quito, Rio de Janeiro, Rome, Rotterdam, Salvador, Santiago de Chile, Seoul, Sydney, São Paulo, Tel Aviv, Tokyo, Toronto, Tshwane, Vancouver, Washington D.C.