Brazil Launches Public Consultation to Combat Urban Extreme Heat

The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MMA) in Brazil has launched a public consultation open until November 23, inviting citizens to submit proposals aimed at addressing extreme heat in urban areas. This initiative is part of the Action Plan for Cooling and Combating Extreme Heat, which seeks to improve public health and ensure greater access to cooler environments across Brazilian cities.

The plan outlines ten national recommendations covering six thematic areas, with goals set for the years 2027, 2031, and 2035. The MMA highlighted the severity of extreme heat, noting it can cause up to 13,300 deaths during severe climate events like El Niño. Urban areas particularly suffer due to high sun exposure and limited vegetation, impacting health, work conditions, and quality of life.

This consultation is conducted through the Brasil Participativo platform, where the public's suggestions will be carefully reviewed for integration into the national plan's implementation. The initiative is supported by the United Nations Environment Programme (Pnuma) and coordinated jointly by the MMA, the Ministry of Cities, and the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MCTI) under the Resilient Green Cities Program.

The MMA's call for community engagement reflects a commitment to strengthening climate resilience and public health in Brazilian urban centers by developing practical solutions against extreme heat.