The heat has increased steadily these past few years, and France is no exception. Heat waves have been destroying crops and killing people. There is a count of 33,000 heatwave excess deaths in France since 2004. The regions most at risk are Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Île-de-France, Occitanie, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Corsica, and Centre-Val de Loire due to their geographical location, climate and urbanization.

The economic consequences of these changing temperatures are significant and impact various sectors. The 2019 heatwave resulted in a 13% decrease in wheat yields and a 30% reduction in maize production. The economic loss for the agricultural sector in 2019 was estimated at over €1 billion. The 2019 heatwave led to a 15% reduction in productivity for outdoor workers, translating to an economic loss of approximately €1 billion across affected sectors. Increased energy demand is significant; while nuclear plants provide about 70% of France’s electricity, heatwaves can increase operational costs for the energy sector by around €50 million annually. During heatwaves, Paris experienced a 15% drop in tourist numbers, resulting in a loss of around €500 million in tourism revenue. The current total economic impact of heatwaves is estimated at €20 billion.

Although rain has been pouring in Spring 2024 all through the country, Summer 2024 might beat the heat record of the century. To address the extreme summer heat conditions, the French government has taken diverse preventive actions:

First is the heatwave plan (Le Plan Canicule), introduced by the government and regional health agencies (Agences Régionales de Santé) in 2004, using the public health and emergency services budget. It includes four levels of alert (green, yellow, orange, red) corresponding to the severity of the heatwave. Each alert level has a corresponding list of actions, public information campaigns, and surveillance levels. Excess mortality was reduced by approximately 87% from 2003 to 2006, with continued improvements in subsequent heatwaves and increased public awareness by about 50%.

Second, implementing cooling centers and building heat-resilient infrastructure with green roofs and reflective materials represent around €200 million in annual expenditures for major cities like Paris and Lyon. Cooling centers have a 70% occupancy rate, and urban areas with heat-resilient infrastructure have reduced temperatures by up to 2°C.

Third, workplace regulation includes restricting outdoor work during the hottest moments and requiring adequate hydration, rest breaks, and cooling measures. These measures cost approximately €200 million annually. Consequently, heat-related workplace incidents have been reduced by 25%.

This Post was submitted by Climate Scorecard France Country Manager Camille Huret.