Professor Carmen Sánchez-Guevara, Director of the Master’s Degree in Environment and Bioclimatic Architecture (MAYAB) and coordinator of the international COOLTORISE project, took part in the official launch event of the Climate Shelters Network, held at the headquarters of the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge. The meeting, organized within the framework of the State Pact for Climate Emergency Action, brought together institutional representatives, scientific experts, and leaders of pioneering climate adaptation initiatives.

During the event, the Climate Shelters Network was officially presented as an initiative aimed at strengthening public protection against heatwaves and extreme temperatures. The network initially includes nearly 1,000 identified spaces across Spain, as well as more than 120 facilities of the General State Administration that will serve as climate shelters accessible to the public. A public online map was also unveiled, allowing citizens to locate these spaces and make use of them when needed.

Sánchez-Guevara participated in the roundtable discussion “Climate Shelters: Health, Care, and Safe Spaces in the Face of Heat,” moderated by Rubén del Campo, spokesperson for the Spanish State Meteorological Agency (AEMET). She shared the panel with researcher Dominic Royé (MBG-CSIC), Fermín Montequín, Head of Operations at Infinito Delicias, and Maider Etxebarria, Mayor of Vitoria-Gasteiz.

As coordinator of the European COOLTORISE project, she focused her contribution on the challenges heatwaves pose for the most vulnerable households and on how climate change is exacerbating social and territorial inequalities. She also highlighted the need to promote measures that improve housing habitability, reduce energy vulnerability, and strengthen neighbourhood resilience to the impacts of global warming.

The discussion also emphasized the importance of climate shelters as an adaptation measure, particularly for protecting older adults, people living in vulnerable circumstances, and citizens who lack adequate cooling systems in their homes.

Further Information

Full video of the Climate Shelters Network launch event:
https://www.youtube.com/live/5sIq6BPM-ow

Climate Shelters Network portal:
https://www.miteco.gob.es/es/pacto-emergencia-climatica/red-refugios-climaticos.html

State Pact for Climate Emergency Action:
https://www.miteco.gob.es/es/pacto-emergencia-climatica.html