Cities in Europe and Central Asia (ECA) are facing a sustained rise in temperatures that could triple the number of heat-related deaths in the coming decades and reduce the region's annual GDP by 2.5% by 2050, reads a joint update by the World Bank (WB) and the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery entitled "Unlivable. How Cities in Europe and Central Asia Can Survive ‒ and Thrive ‒ in a Hotter Future," AzVision.az reports.

According to the document, by mid-century, the number of hot days in the region's largest cities, where more than 70% of the population lives, could more than triple. Southern Europe and Türkiye will be particularly vulnerable - in some cities, the heat could last 40-70 days longer each year. Extreme heat disrupts transport, overloads power systems, intensifies droughts and fires, worsens air quality, reduces work capacity and production volumes - especially in sectors such as construction, transport, and tourism, the update says.

As noted by Sameh Wahba, the World Bank regional director for Europe and Central Asia, heat waves make cities less habitable, especially for older people, children, and the poor. To reduce the risk of losses, the World Bank recommends implementing adaptation measures today, including early warning systems, cooling centers in vulnerable areas, heat-resistant building materials, and climate-sensitive urban planning.

The highest level of excess mortality - 25-27.5 cases per 100,000 people - was recorded in cities with a warm climate, such as Iasi (Romania), Ashgabat (Turkmenistan), Baku (Azerbaijan) and Osijek (Croatia).

According to the International Labor Organization (ILO), by 2023 alone, the region will have lost the equivalent of more than 87,000 jobs due to rising temperatures. Of these, 22,200 were in Uzbekistan, 17,800 were in Azerbaijan, and 16,100 were in Türkiye. According to the document, Azerbaijan was the most vulnerable: 0.38% of all working hours were lost in the country.

Losses by sector in the country's cities were: 0.76% in construction, 0.36% in industry, and 0.8% in the services sector.

The World Bank's forecast for 2030 is even more alarming: 1% of working hours may be lost in the services sector in Azerbaijan, over 3% in industry, and up to 7% in construction (even with shade).

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