Statement on the United Nations Secretary-General’s Call to Action for Extreme Heat

SAN FRANCISCO & LONDON — July 25, 2024—In response to United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres’ call to action on extreme heat, philanthropic funders are uniting to help address the severe and escalating threats posed by extreme heat to health, workers and livelihoods, infrastructure, food security, and more in communities worldwide.

A group of philanthropies convened by ClimateWorks Foundation is catalyzing an initiative for philanthropy to invest an initial commitment of $50 million in climate adaptation and resilience efforts in regions most vulnerable to climate change impacts, including extreme heat. 

Supporting foundations include the Arab Foundations Forum, Autodesk Foundation, Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), Humanity United, Howden Foundation, Laudes Foundation, Quadrature Climate Foundation, The Rockefeller Foundation, Shockwave Foundation, Trafigura Foundation, and Wellcome Trust.

Extreme heat is more than a climate issue; it is a pressing health, humanitarian, and economic crisis. In June, over 60% of the world’s population—nearly 5 billion people—experienced extreme heat over a nine-day period. The Global Heat Health Information Network finds that billions of people around the world are dealing with the life-threatening impacts of unprecedented heat—the deadliest of all extreme weather events. According to SEforAll, over 1.1 billion people lack access to sustainable cooling, and 2.9 billion have inefficient cooling, affecting a disproportionate number of women and girls. 

Extreme heat is also an economic issue. The International Labour Organization estimates that by 2030, the global economy could lose $2.4 trillion annually due to heat stress. Addressing this challenge requires immediate and coordinated action from all parts of society–communities, government, businesses, civil society, and philanthropy–to bolster community resilience and adaptive capacities. 

This work is part of the Adaptation and Resilience Funder Collaborative, which includes over 50 foundations focused on accelerating action on climate adaptation and resilience.

“Extreme heat claims more lives than any other weather-related hazard, and with climate change driving temperatures to all-time highs, the stakes have never been higher. The most profound impacts are felt by the one billion urban poor residing in slums and informal settlements, where substandard housing with metal roofs lacks insulation or cooling systems. Many of these individuals are also employed in outdoor or factory jobs without any social protections. In response, Quadrature Climate Foundation is joining other philanthropic organisations, to commit $50 million in rapid-response funding. This funding is aimed at developing and deploying solutions that enhance preparedness, adaptation, and resilience to the intensifying crisis of extreme heat.” – Jess Ayers, CEO, Quadrature Climate Foundation

“Philanthropy in the Arab region and beyond is essential to addressing the urgent challenges posed by extreme heat due to the climate crisis. As we face increasingly severe, record-breaking heatwaves and their devastating impacts on vulnerable communities, it is crucial for philanthropic efforts to focus on sustainable solutions and resilience building. Our region must leverage the power of strategic giving to support innovative climate adaptation and mitigation projects and make a serious commitment to acknowledging the dire consequences of ignoring this crisis. We need to ensure a safer and more sustainable future for all, and we need to do it now.” – Naila Farouky, CEO of the Arab Foundations Forum

“Extreme heat is a dire threat to human health and well-being. The time to prioritize adaptation and resilience on our global agenda is now. We need to protect, strengthen, and expand critical, life-sustaining systems and infrastructure in agriculture, healthcare, and our built environment. At the Autodesk Foundation, we invest in innovative organizations at the frontlines of the climate crisis so communities can manage rising levels of physical climate risk and bolster their resilience against this ongoing challenge. Philanthropy has a critical role to play in seeding new solutions and we are proud to be part of this collective effort.” – Jean Shia, Managing Director, Autodesk Foundation

“This week’s record-breaking global temperatures are a reminder that we are already in the midst of the climate crisis, with communities facing life-threatening heat. The good news is that mayors and local leaders throughout the world are leading the way in cutting emissions while also adapting to its consequences now. Bloomberg Philanthropies is proud to respond to the UN Secretary-General’s clarion call by supporting countries to move beyond coal – the most polluting fuel on earth- and turbocharging the work of local leaders to combat and adapt to climate change through proven solutions such as expanding tree canopies, and resilient infrastructure as well as innovative approaches to shade and new surface materials. Together, we can create safer, cleaner, and healthier communities for the greatest number of people.” –  Antha Williams, who leads the Environment program at Bloomberg Philanthropies

“Between the Tropics, we are seeing pregnant mothers, infants, children and especially girls, face increasing peril from extreme heat. But long term nobody and nowhere is safe, as shown by the elderly Swiss women who successfully sued their government for failing to do enough to combat climate change. Governments and the private sector need to redouble their mitigation and resilience efforts. We are all sleepwalking into great danger.” – Kate Hampton, CEO, Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF)

“The climate crisis presents unprecedented challenges to our health, economic well-being, and safety. How we tackle it offers a unique opportunity to build a future where no one is left behind. Philanthropy can help drive positive social impact by supporting innovative approaches to climate adaptation and resilience, such as piloting community-based parametric insurance in India, building coalitions to advocate for debt reform for small island developing states, fostering entrepreneurship in East Africa to develop cold chain infrastructure, and scale the use of solar-reflective ‘cool’ roofs. We proudly support this collective effort and philanthropy’s growing investments in adaptation and resilience. Together, we can create a more resilient future.” – Helen Mountford, President and CEO, ClimateWorks Foundation

“The temperature is rising. An invisible crisis is wrecking lives and livelihoods across the world. We, at the Howden Foundation, know effective and cost-efficient solutions exist to ease the worst effects of extreme heat. We are giving to help those suffering from the crushing impact of heat and drought. But individually we can only do so much. To make the biggest impact philanthropy and business must join forces. Action is needed now. We can’t afford to wait. So we urge others to join us in this great collective endeavour to take the heat off the world’s most vulnerable.” – David Howden, Chair, Howden Foundation 

“The increasing frequency and severity of heatwaves are a clear indication of the magnitude of this challenge. Businesses that adapt to these changes are better positioned to ensure long-term resilience in a changing climate. And this not only reduces stresses on workers, farmers and communities from extreme heat but also puts people at the center of the just transitions that we so critically need.” – Leslie Johnston, CEO, Laudes Foundation

“During a week when the planet keeps breaking heat records, it’s crucial that we all take action to advance health care even as we reverse the climate crisis. The Rockefeller Foundation is working with partners around the world to protect the lives and livelihoods of people vulnerable to extreme heat.” — Dr. Rajiv J. Shah, President of The Rockefeller Foundation

“At Shockwave, we look at long-term needs and trends over the next 30 to 50 years. Extreme heat, combined with other changes in the weather, such as increases in severity and frequency of storms, is already disrupting livelihoods, manufacturing production, food and water security. We are working with others to help build adaptation playbooks to help reduce the negative impacts of these unprecedented climate events.” – Paul Traina, CEO, Shockwave Foundation 

“The Trafigura Foundation stands in full support of United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres’ call to action on extreme heat. Extreme heat poses a severe threat to millions of farmers and workers globally, disproportionately impacting vulnerable communities in the Global South and affecting global supply chains. The Trafigura Foundation is committed to addressing this crisis through collective action and substantial financial investments aimed at enhancing climate resilience and adaptation efforts. By partnering with experienced organizations and implementing locally tailored solutions, we aim to empower communities to thrive amidst these challenges.” – Dario Soto Abril, Executive Director, Trafigura Foundation

“Europe and North America are now facing the scorching summer temperatures that many countries have faced for decades.  And as heatwaves become more common, the harmful effects on our physical and mental health, especially of the most vulnerable, are increasingly visible. We support the UNSG’s call to action and hope it will inspire governments around the world to act with urgency to protect lives.  We must work together to develop effective policies and initiatives that can protect human health and wellbeing from the dangerous effects of climate change.” – John-Arne Røttingen, CEO, Wellcome